Vintage Window Custom Orders

I have started getting more and more custom orders as of late for my vintage windows | which I adore! As a favor to some of my customers and to simplify things for me I thought I would create this post to outline some of the many options available when placing a custom order. I really could go on and on with this one, so I will attempt to reel myself in if I find that I'm dragging it out. :)

Option One: Matted Photo Frame 

1. What approximate size window frame?
2. How many panes? 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9
3. Color preference?
4. Existing Paint or Repainted?
5. If repainted, would you like it distressed or antiqued?
6. What color matting?
7. What size photos are you framing?
8. Would you like the frame to hang vertically or horizontally?
9. Would you like hanging hardware included?

Vintage Wedding ✿ Inspired DIY Ideas No. 1

So now that I have shared with you some of my favorite vintage inspired wedding ideas, I thought I could expand the idea and create some DIY posts. Of course, for the most part, I offer these services but I just figure that you are either going to hire someone to do it for you or you are the type of person to do it yourself and if I don't share then you can find the inspiration somewhere else. I rather be a one-stop-shop for your vintage wedding needs.

Do You Take Me...

I'm IN LOVE with vintage...I admit it. And during the course of my courtship with it I have fallen deeply in love with the vintage inspired wedding theme, so much so that I am most of the way committed to expanding my business to wedding planning. Now this is coming from someone who has been married for 16 years, was married in Las Vegas, and has NEVER EVER had that twinge of "ohhhhhh I wish I had had a big wedding". I am completely content with the fact that I got married with short notice and little hoopla...just fits my personality. But now that I have had the opportunity to work with some brides in helping them create their seating charts, menus, photo frame with my antique and vintage windows I have begun to see the allure of planning A wedding, anyone's wedding other than mine or one that requires MY money! hahaha

Thank You ♥ Wilma

This is an endearing blog post from a new friend and a fellow Etsy Seller. You can visit her shop by following this link: ozarksfinds!!! I hope that you all will take the time to read her post, follow her blog, and browse her fantastic Vintage Shop. She's a doll, you will love her too! Thank you, Wilma!!! ♥

If You Haven't Found Fab Quirks By Annie, You Can Find Her Here!

CUSTOM MADE Authentic Antique & Vintage Windows

CUSTOM MADE Authentic Antique & Vintage Windows by Quirks By Annie

Quirks By Annie has launched into yet another new endeavor! Perhaps, you read my post about Antique Restoration and Contemporary Antiques. So you've already seen that we are expanding from the normal hunt + acquire = sell, aspect of Antique & Vintage Collectibles, but have found another outlet for some really great pieces ♥ antique and vintage window frames. We have come across these windows ever since we moved to North Carolina in 2006. (I'll save that story for another post.) Since discovering these awesome artifacts of the past my husband has created a few different pieces for my/our personal use. He had made a Mirror, a Matted Photo Frame, and a Menu/To-Do List Board. They are all wonderful, and well used!!!

It wasn't until we realized how many of these windows were out there; just sitting, waiting for a new purpose in life, that the bells and whistles started going off...HEY I CAN DO THAT AND SELL THEM, even take custom orders!!! So, here I am, with windows galore and anxious to make you that perfect piece. All you have to do is click this link: CUSTOM MADE Authentic Antique & Vintage Windows, and you will be taken to the listing in my Etsy Shop, where you can see what is available and order the PERFECT PIECE FOR YOU!!!

Antique Restoration or Contemporary Antiques

Quirks By Annie's Antique Restoration or Contemporary Antiques

My Current Favorite "Contemporary Antique"
from Quirks By Annie

This is a new venture that Quirks By Annie is undertaking. There are always some fantastic deals on some really awesome antique and vintage furniture at the Auctions and Estate Sales that Ethan attends, however, more often than not, they just are PERFECT. So, he has been passing up on them until recently. Now, even though a piece has some imperfections it still has a place in this world. Sometimes he has been able to restore to original condition, which is always exciting. But my personal favorites are those pieces that are just beyond reasonable restoration. These have become fun, funky, absolutely wonderful "Contemporary Antiques". The link above and this link show a very small glimpse into this new endeavor, but there will be more to come. Most are for sale, so if you see something that makes your heart go pitter-patter then hurry and send me a message. This is the very first day that we have shared these with the outside world, and they are already being stalked. We have lots of other pieces in the works, and some more that are nearing the finish line. So don't get caught later saying "Dang, that was PERFECT for my vanity! Why did I hesitate?", rather be a "WINNER", like Charlie Sheen...Winning!!! hahaha jk on that last part. Love to you all. Post again soon. ♥

TOP SECRET: A SMIDGEN OF ADVICE (Tip No. 2)

I know that you have all been on the edge of your seats just waiting for me to post "Top Secret: A Smidgen of Advice (Tip No. 2)". Well here it is. So grab a yummy drink, curl up in your favorite chair, take a cleansing breath, and read on...

October 1947 ♥ Better Homes & Gardens
Ad for Linens 'Cannon Percale Sheets'

TOP SECRET: A SMIDGEN OF ADVICE ON CARING FOR ANTIQUE & VINTAGE LINENS...

Stain Removal:

Example of Linens with
Yellowing Stains on Folds

Quite often you will come across antique or vintage linens that have yellowed along the fold lines. This often happens after years of storage, and those folds being exposed to daily dirt and grime such as dust, nicotine, and other airborne pollutants.

1. It is always best to rehydrate the fabric prior to working on any stain. The preferred way to accomplish this would be to soak the piece in room temperature water for at least 30 minutes.
2. If the fabric is heavily soiled or stained, and does not have colored embroidery, then you can mix lukewarm water with a product, such as OxiClean®, and soak it for several hours up to several days. If extended soaking is required, then every-so-often you will need to check the stain, rinse with cool water, mix a fresh solution, and soak again. You can continue to do this until the stain is removed or diminished enough not to detract from the piece. Occasionally you just have to live with a stain, and accept it as a part of the linen's history, a little character.
3. If you are dealing with a stain such as rust, blood, or any other stain that has a high iron content, you can use a product such as Whink Rust Stain Remover®. Products such as these just take a small amount, and if they are going to work, will work in a very short amount of time.
4.  NEVER use chlorine bleach, products with bluing agents, or whiteners on any fine linens.
5.  Sun bleaching fabric was very common during the Victorian era, but modern textile experts feel that process may be too harsh for the oldest and most delicate antique textiles. Remember, the linens were NEW in the Victorian era. You can, however, place the linens in filtered sun for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, but not longer than that.
6. NEVER wring out old fabrics because it can cause considerable stress to old and delicate fibers.

Vintage Embroidered Table Runner 

General Cleaning and Care:

1. Always wash delicate linens in cold water, hot water running through older pipes releases the impurities in the pipes which increases the risk of staining or discoloring during the washing cycle.
2. NEVER use a harsh detergent, such as Tide.
3. Use a gentle detergent, such as Woolite or Linen Wash by Le Blanc®. Linen Wash® is made especially for vintage, antique, and delicate textiles. Wash on the delicate or hand-wash setting, depending on your washer.
4. You can dry most linens on the lowest dryer setting, removing while still slightly damp. You don't want to dry linens, antique or otherwise, until they are bone dry because it can cause the fabric to pill or fade. Once you have removed the linen, smooth it out with your hands and fold. Or, if you are planning to use it right away, then follow the tip for ironing below.
5. NEVER use dryer sheets in the dryer or fabric softener in the washer. Fabric softener prevents the material from absorbing moisture, which will shorten the life of your textile.
6. If you intend on using the linen right away, then iron while still damp on the lowest setting possible. If a piece is embroidered, then iron it on the reverse side, on top of a towel.
7. DO NOT iron your antique linens until you are ready to use them.
8. AVOID extended exposure to sunlight and moonlight to avoid color fading.

Vintage Embroidered Table Runner

Storage:

1. Always use acid free archival tissue paper for storing your delicate linens when not in use. It is not safe to store these items in direct contact with wood or painted surfaces, since they are highly acidic.
2. If you are storing a table cloth, or other large piece, then simply place a piece of acid free tissue paper over a pant clothes hanger, carefully drape the piece over it, add an additional layer of acid free tissue paper over the linen in order to keep dust off, and then store in a closet.
3. Fold smaller pieces with acid free tissue layered between and amount the folds. If the piece is not used for a year or more, then unfold and change out the tissue.
4. Pieces that are used/displayed year-round or frequently should be laundered or hand-washed one or more times a year to remove dust and freshen up.
5. DO NOT store a piece without washing first, since there could be unseen grime such as grease that can lead to staining.

As always, please visit Quirks By Annie on Etsy. I have lots of antique and vintage linens available in my store right now. Enjoy!!!

Depression Glass: Hocking Glass - Colonial aka 'Knife & Fork'

Let's get back to some glassware identification. I've had a lot of different irons in the fire as of late, so I thought it was time for a good 'ole fashion Depression Glass post. I'm not really the research kinda gal, but obviously one isn't born with knowledge of all things antique and vintage, so I've had to do quite a bit of poking and nosing around. The most interesting part is that I am actually enjoying it. The bad part is that there are many different resources and most of them contain contrasting and inconsistant information, so of course that leads to reviewing 4, 5, 6 resources and then double and triple checking each 'fact'.

I could just go the easy route and continue to perpetuate inaccurate information, but I'm all about 'breaking the cycle'. If you're a seller or collector, certainly you've been on 'those' auction/online selling sites to search for comparabales or that coveted pattern or piece of glassware only to find that 'hey that's EXACTLY the piece I have' and the person selling has no idea either what in the heck they have OR it is identified totally wrong, yet 10 other people have it listed (almost verbatim) the same dang wrong way. Really frustrating for Seller and Collector alike. So, again, I'm doing my best to break the cycle of misinformation and dial in who out there truly knows what they're talking about and collecting information from those wonderful gems and sharing that knowledge here, with you!

Colonial aka "Knife & Fork"

Manufactured by: Hocking Glass Company

Years Manufactured: 1934 - 1936

Colors: Crystal, Green, Opaque White, Pink

Classification: Depression Glass

Pitcher in Pink

Number of Pieces Produced: Approximately 41

This particular pattern is one of the more difficult patterns to collect. One reason is the limited years of production, therefore limited pieces were produced. This leads to reason number two...expensive! The aka comes from the rigid design between the scallops of the rib/panel pattern.

Mug in Green

Green is typically the most sought after color, simply because it is one of the easiest to find. Pink demands close to the same price as the green and that is due to the limited amount of pink pieces available, otherwise it might command a higher price because more available pieces would mean more opportunity to put together complete sets.

Cordial Glass in Crystal

Stems were not produced in pink, so often collectors will seek out the crystal stems to compliment their collection. There were 3 different sizes of footed tumblers produced, along with 7 bowls, and 5 sizes of stems. In total, there were approximately 41 pieces made in this pattern.

Oval Bowl in Pink

TOP SECRET: A SMIDGEN OF ADVICE (Tip No. 1)

NEW WAVE OF INFO COMING AT YOU...

I have decided to start posting tips about random, but useful information that I come across during my day to day research and exploration of the antique and vintage collectibles gig. So far my main focus on this blog has been on glassware, in particularly Depression Glass, but that is not my sole interest or the only topic I plan on covering here. So to kick off my "TOP SECRET: A SMIDGEN OF ADVICE" collection I will start with cast iron.

TOP SECRET: A SMIDGEN OF ADVICE ON CAST IRON COOKWARE...

Cast Iron is an excellent oven and stove-top cooking material. And starting a collection of cast iron cookware can be fairly inexpensive if you know where to look, what to look for, and what to do with that mess once you have found it.

Lodge Cast Iron Chicken Skillet Prior to Cleaning & Seasoning

Honestly, you can get online and go shopping at one of the many auction sites or antique/vintage collectibles sites, such as Quirks By Annie, and occasionally you'll find fantastic deals. But quite often, what you'll find is these sites have already taken the steps to properly clean and season their cast iron prior to listing it for sale. To many of these sellers it does not matter whether the piece is highly desirable or rare, they feel that they can charge outrageous prices, just because they are 'in the know'. Well isn't it time that you were 'in the know'?

Have You Got That RUNNING IN CIRCLES Feeling?

Truly, I amaze myself sometimes! Not always in a good way. I am one of the most easily side-tracked people that I know. I have started and stopped this post about a dozen times, not just the blog aspect of it, but the addition of the information to my website. I have also promised about 1/4 of a dozen times that I am about to launch a new GIVEAWAY, but alas...I have not. The one thing that I can say with absolute delight and conviction about myself is that I AM TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE. So love me for what I am or bug off (no, please don't bug off, but you get the general vibe.)!!!! Thanks, as always and forever, my faithful readers.

Circle

Manufactured by:  Hocking Glass Company

Years Manufactured: 1930's

Category of Glass: Depression Glass

Colors: Crystal, Green, Pink

Circle-Crystal Tall Sherbet

Circle-Green Low Sherbet

There were approximately 23 pieces made in the Circle pattern. 5 of the pieces are bowls, 4 are plates, and there are 4 tumblers. Bowls are apparently extremely difficult to find in complete sets, therefore this rarity has driven the prices up on bowls considerably. Other than the potentially high cost of the bowls, Circle in considered to be a fairly inexpensive pattern to collect, but not always easily found. There were very few pieces made in this pattern, so there aren't as many survivors as there are in other patterns. Pink was produced in a limited number, so it is mostly found in luncheon sets, and even the, very infrequently. Crystal is found only in stems or stems with green. Green is the color most  readily found, however, there are definite variances in the shades of the green pieces which can make it difficult to create a uniform set, but the difference aren't great enough to detract from a collection of green Circle, to me and many other collectors and experts this just adds to the interest and desirability of the pattern.

Circle-Green Bread & Butter Plate

Great New Treasury on Etsy...Completely Raggedy

Raggedy Ann ♥ More Than Just A Rag Doll

1928 Raggedy Ann 'Magical Wishes'

This is a fun Treasury that I just curated on Etsy. I don't have an item featured in it, I just created it because I love Raggedy Ann and have for as long as I can remember. Please take a look around at the handmade and vintage wonders included here. Thanks for taking the time to look and share with your friends and contacts, you all are wonderful! xoxo

Glass In The Raw - The Ancient Origins of Glass

Man-made glass has an exceptionally long timeline. Researching this subject has fueled my affection for glassware much more than I would have imagined. In all honestly, I kind of drug my feet about getting the official research underway for fear that once I started I would find it so humdrum that I would soon lose interest and not be able to complete the task. I needed to get the lowdown on glass so that I could understand and therefore explain its place in history.

Of course, natural glass, such as obsidian (pictured to left) which is formed as a result of a volcanic eruption, has been in use since the Stone Ages. Stone-Age man used this glass for the production of knives, arrowheads (pictured to right), jewelry, and money. Glass was first made in the ancient world, but very little is known about the methods initially used. Amulets and solid glass beads are thought to have been made in Egypt and Eastern Mesopotamia as early as 3500BC.

The oldest fragments of glass vases were found in Mesopotamia and date back to about 1500BC. These fragments are evidence of the origin of hollow glass production. Hollow glass fabrication was also beginning to blossom in Egypt, China and a few other regions, during this period. Glass production increased quickly over the next 300 years and then began to decline. It was revived again in Mesopotamia approximately 700BC and in Egypt sometime during the 500's BC.

Over the next 500 years Egypt, Syria, and other countries along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea became the center of glass production, primarily in Alexandria. It was from there that it is thought to have spread to Italy. The first glassmaking 'instruction manual' dates back to approximately 650BC. Instructions on how to make glass are contained in tablets from the library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (669-626 BC). Truly amazing when you really sit there and think about how long ago that was and what has taken place during the course of history since that time.

At the beginning of the surge of glass production the process was a slow and difficult one. The glass melting furnaces were small and the heat produced was barely enough to melt the glass. It wasn't until sometime between 27BC to 14AD that Syrian craftsman from the Sidon-Babylon area, invented the blow pipe. This was a major breakthrough for the glass making industry. The long thin metal tube used in the blowing process has changed very little since then. In the last century BC, the ancient Romans then began blowing glass inside molds, majorly increasing the variety of shapes possible for hollow glass items.

From 25 to 400AD there was rapid development and growth of glass melting, working and forming technology in the Mediterranean region during the Roman Era. Production flourished and quickly spread from Italy to all countries under Roman rule. In 100AD glass cost rapidly declined and for the first time became available to ordinary citizens, something that would happen again during the 19^th Century with the advancements in technology.

GOOD DAY GONE BAD and Then Some

GOOD DAY vs. BAD DAY...
(I began writing this post 2 weeks ago.)

How does this happen? Woke up in a decent mood, not'overly wiped-out from the get go (like most mornings); all the kids got off to school; baby slept in until like 8:20ish; husband stayed out of my way until 9ish; AND woke up to a couple of sales. Then everything took a flying leap to the dark side. The first unpleasant maneuver was comprised of picking up my 15 year old son to rescue him from yet another 'school incident'. This one caused by some ridiculous English Honors teacher decided it was ok to give him crap in front of the entire class, a class he has a 96 average in. This of course was during the credits of one of the daily movies that she shows them in lieu of teaching them. Seriously, did you not realize that 'The Other Guys' was a literary film or that Leo Dicaprio's performance surpassed any performer that William Shakespeare could have chosen for Romeo & Juliet. WTHeck???? I'm living a nightmare here. I'm guessing this over-reaction is an extension of feeling like a fish out of water, living in The South instead of Southern California. I don't hate the South, it isn't the location's fault that I don't fit in, but no matter what I've tried...I DO NOT FIT IN!!!

A LITTLE TRIP...
So, as noted above, I began writing this post a couple of weeks ago. And, as things sometimes do, circumstances changed. At first they changed from bad to BAD then to REALLY BAD. Ended up deciding that the best scenario for all involved was a long overdue trip to the doctor to get my meds reevaluated. This is not something quirky folks like me like doing. Tends to be a bit tense, but then I realize that it honestly was for the best and now things are all back on track. Of course this process took me off the radar for about 5 days, therefore created a backlog of work (thankfully my husband/partner was there to pick up the slack while I was absent), but with my new and improved attitude, all went well. I got through most of the backlog and am even branching out, getting some great new things going for Quirks By Annie.

THE WRAP UP...
So, I just wanted to bring you all up to date. Let you know what the haps were and why I have been lagging a bit about getting new articles posted and getting additional information linked to the website, quirksbyannie.com. Thanks so much for reading, following, or just scanning. It helps make my day!!! ♥

In the meantime, PLEASE...


VISIT my Etsy Store
SUBSCRIBE to my Blog Posts
FOLLOW ME on Twitter @QuirksByAnnie
LIKE me on facebook.com
OR JUST SEND ME A GOOD OL' FASHIONED e-mail

THE A-LIST

Okay, back again and perhaps back on track. Doesn't take much to distract me, and working on building a new business along with a new website, blog, connecting with new/fabulous people, and the often erratic day to day of having a big family, has made me a bit more distracted than normal. (For example: I began writing this post about 10:30am. It is now 4:55pm and THIS ↔ is a far as I have gotten. But I've completed parts of a TON of other tasks though!) So, back to it!!!


TALK ABOUT MAKING THE A-LIST, HOLLYWOOD HAS NOTHIIN' ON THESE STARS...


Makes perfect sense to start with Anchor Hocking Company. The obvious reasons are 1) Their name starts with an 'A' -and- 2) They are the only Depression Glass maker that can claim that fact. But the best and most important reason is that they truly are 'A List' material. Anchor Hocking has a fantastic history that began in 1905, and the simple fact is that they remain the leading North American designer, manufacturer and distributor of glassware to the retail, food-service and specialty markets, to date. This company manufactured 24 'Depression Glass' patterns, 20 of which were made under their original name, Hocking Glass Company. Only Royal Ruby, Manhattan, Oyster & Pearl, and Queen Mary were produced after Hocking Glass Company merged with Anchor Cap and Closure Corporations, thus becoming Anchor Hocking Glass Company, on December 31, 1937.


NOW, FOR THE REST OF THE STORY...


I have decided to link to my 'under construction' website. The link currently has the history of Anchor Hocking, along with some photos of their Depression Era and 40's, 50's, 60's Glassware that I own now or used to own. I am currently working on creating links for each pattern Anchor Hocking manufactured during those eras, so please check back. (And please keep in mind, the site is truly a work in progress.)

A Brief History of Anchor Hocking Company

IT'S a MAD WORLD...Gotta Deal

A MOMENTARY SHIFT OF TOPICS...


Taking a break from the usual post, not that I really have any 'USUAL' post theme going yet, but I'm sure you get the general idea. Deviating from the norm is pretty normal for me. I've been what I like to call 'quirky' my whole life, others just took a sincere notice of it when I turned 13ish. I think that prior to that they just thought I had a lot of spunk. And of course, I got the frequent reminder from my mom, "Don't go ape!" (I know she wanted to say apeshit, but she was old-school, with the decency to refrain from vulgarity. So very UNLIKE me on that one.) I believe that all of these wonderful little trips down crazy-train-lane have helped me to perceive the world just a little bit clearer, perhaps a crisper understanding of the underlying tone, the 'don't quite SAY that you think they screwed you, but glide over it so they get the point', and the 'say what you think you want them to hear, not what you really think' concepts. I catch a lot of my customers in that trap. Don't try to dupe me, cause I'm onto YOU, even if I have not a flippin' clue what in the heck I'M doing most days. 


TAG-TEAM: SHIPPING MONSTER & IMPULSIVE EMAILER vs. ME...

YOU NEED THIS LIST ~ Depression Glass Pattern List ~ Adam to Windsor

Important Info...

Hocking Glass Company
Depression Era Advertisement

This might seem a bit drab as far as posts go, but if you've ever tried to identify a piece of Depression Glass, you know how important this info is. Right now I'm just going to give you the pattern vs. maker list. BUT my next posts will include photo identification, which will include pattern, maker, and a photo or three. This will be a major help in identifying that piece of Depression Glass that you've been holding on to forever or that piece that you've been dying to purchase, but just aren't positive that it is truly what you think it is or whether it is as valuable as the price tag hanging on it claims it is.


Adam to Windsor...

The list of Depression Glass patterns, from A to Z, is quite often referred to as "Adam to Windsor". You can use this list as the foundation for your exploration into the world of Depression Glass. It is a useful identification tool that you will be able to refer to time and time again in order to help you sort out what pattern belongs to what maker, etc. So let's do it. I will provide you with the pattern name, followed by the manufacturer.

RETIRED PUNKER BECOMES VINTAGE ADDICT

SO THAT WE ALL ARE ON THE SAME PAGE OF WHAT QUIRK(Y) MEANS...


noun

1.

a peculiarity of action, behavior, or personality; mannerism:He is full of strange quirks.

2.

a shift, subterfuge, or evasion; quibble.

3.

a sdden twist or turn: He lost his money by a quirk of fate.

WHO'S WHO IN QUIRKS...

The First Night...Nose Pierced

The transformation of a (not so retired) Punker into an Antiques & Vintage Collectibles Addict, is for sure 'quirky'!!!

If you've read my bio, then you have a small glimpse of who I am, if you haven't read it, you should! I'm a mother of 7, a wife of 16 years, long-term escrow/real estate background, and a lot quirky! Currently pulling off black and 'shocking blue' hair, at the age of 41 and finally got brave enough to get my nose pierced about a month ago (didn't delay because of 'looks'...delayed cause I didn't want to pass out).

WHAT IN THE @*?#...

After the economic dump, and my husband becoming surprisingly unemployed in November of 2010, I began submitting resume...after resume...after resume...and then some! NOTHING!!! This was not unexpected, just exasperating. I was working day in and day out applying for jobs that my mind knew I needed but my heart did not want.

AND THEN WHAMMY...