Author Archives: sarathurston

About sarathurston

I'm a retired marketing communications writer who also loves antiques and collectibles. My Etsy shop is now closed, because I've gotten involved in other exciting things. I apologize if links no longer work. I hope the articles remain useful, anyway!

The $750 Song Title

Posted on November 27, 2016 by sarathurston

Selling old vinyl records should be left to the professionals. Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Collectibles, Ephemera, Etsy, Music | Tagged 33 RPM, 45 RPM, Album artwork, Album covers, albums, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, old records, rare albums, rare records, rare vinyl, Record albums, Rolling Stones, styrene records, valuable records, vintage records, Vinyl records | Leave a comment

Ordinary thrift shop lamp…or work of art?

Posted on September 6, 2016 by sarathurston

Someone recently asked in a Facebook group about a lamp she’d inherited from her grandmother. It was very retro, with a corset-shaped base and white drum shade. She said it was marked “Tye of California.” I’m not much of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Art, Collectibles, Etsy, Lighting, Pottery, Vintage and Antique Furniture, Why Are Antiques Important? | Tagged Antiques Roadshow, ceramic lamp, Etsy, mid century lamps, Raoul Dufy, thrift decor, Tye, Tye of California, valuable lamp, Vintage lamps | Leave a comment

Is it a stretch vase or a swung vase?

Posted on July 20, 2016 by sarathurston

Stretch and swing glass vases are different types of vases. It pays to learn the difference! Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Glass, Vintage Glass Patterns, Why Are Antiques Important? | Tagged 6 petal, antique vase, Art Deco, art glass, Bryce Higbee, carnival glass, cut log, ethol, Etsy, Fenton, Fostoria, glass vase, iridescent, LE Smith, long vase, mid-century, minimalist, onion skin, Pilgrim glass, pontil, ruffled vase, six petal, six sided vase, skinny vase, sling vase, stretch vase, swing vase, swung vase, thin vase, Tiffin glass, Viking | 5 Comments

From Grief to Glamour: The Enduring Beauty of Camphor Glass

Posted on December 26, 2015 by sarathurston

I’ve had this necklace and bracelet forever. I can only assume it originally belonged to my grandmother and was passed down to my mother. I had no idea what it was, but I loved to wear it on special … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Etsy, Vintage Jewelry, Why Are Antiques Important? | Tagged antique jewelry, Art Deco, camphor, camphor glass, camphor glass bracelet, camphor glass necklace, cut glass, Eastern Star, Edwardian jewelry, Esemco, filigree jewelry, glass jewelry, glass necklace, marcasite, mourning jewelry, Rhodium, rock crystal, Sandwich glass, silver jewelry, Victorian jewelry, vintage necklace, white gold | 2 Comments

Go vintage for a truly fun, old-fashioned holiday!

Posted on December 10, 2015 by sarathurston

It’s getting to be that time of year again. The endless search for that special gift for that special person. You know, the one who already has everything. Another sweater? A fondue set? A candle – again? Can you take … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Etsy, Why Are Antiques Important? | Tagged Anchor Hocking, antique gifts, Chanukkah gifts, Christmas gift ideas, Christmas gifts, Depression Glass, environmentally friendly gifts, exotic tea, gift ideas, gourmet teas, green gifts, green tea, holiday catalogues, holiday decor, holiday decorating, holiday gifts, hostess gifts, housewarming gifts, inexpensive gifts, moriage, one-of-a-kind gifts, recycling, retro holiday, rooibos, sustainable gifts, thrifty gifts, unique gifts, valuable gifts, vintage gifts, vintage ornaments, Wexford | 2 Comments

Ridgeleigh by Heisey: Art Deco Star of the 1930s

Posted on September 6, 2015 by sarathurston

Every so often I take out this Heisey Ridgeleigh cigarette holder and prepare to list it in my Etsy shop. And every time, I end up putting it right back in the hutch. Why? It’s just so pretty, and feels … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Tobacciana, Vintage Glass Patterns | Tagged 1930s, Art Deco, ashtray, Bridge, candelabra, cigarette holder, Depression Glass, EAPG, Etsy, Heisey, Imperial glass, Ridgeleigh, serving pieces, Tobacciana, vintage glass, Zircon | Leave a comment

Alice Annglow: The definition of cottage chic.

Posted on August 29, 2015 by sarathurston

One of the best things about spending summers at my family’s Janvier Road bungalow was being surrounded by antiques. I’m sure that’s where I found my love for all things old. The bungalow was built around 1910, and I assume … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Pottery | Tagged 1930s decor, Alice Annglow, Cottage chic, Edwin Knowles, Edwin M. Knowles, mid-century, Pre war decor, semi-vitreous, shabby chic, tableware | Leave a comment

So. Is it Cronin or Cameron?

Posted on August 27, 2015 by sarathurston

Anyone who was alive in the 1960s must remember these pottery pieces. They were everywhere! The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P to most of us) gave them away as premiums to encourage customer loyalty. In fact, A&P was … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Collectibles, Pottery | Tagged 1950s decor, A&P stores, blue pottery, Blue Tulip, Cameron, collectible pottery, Cronin, mid-century, pitcher, pottery, retro kitchen, serving pieces, tulip, turquoise, vintage pottery | 2 Comments

Patrician (aka Spoke): The “everyday” Depression Glass Pattern

Posted on January 9, 2015 by sarathurston

As with Federal’s “Petal” bowl, just about everyone owns an item in the Patrician or “Spoke” pattern, or knows someone who does. Gene Florence says it’s so common, in fact, that people tell him they use their pieces every day. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Glass | Tagged 1930s, amber glass, cookie jar, Cottage chic, Depression Glass, dinner plate, dinnerware, Federal Glass, film prop, glass dishes, movie prop, Patrician, period decor, shabby chic, Spoke, stage prop, tableware, vintage table, Western theme, Yellow depression glass, yellow glass | 6 Comments

Gold Plate. Gold Fill. Gold Wash. Confused?

Posted on September 2, 2014 by sarathurston

I’ve always wondered about the differences in these jewelry terms, but not being a “jool,” I didn’t feel qualified to write an article about them. Then voila! I stumbled upon this terrific article by Daye Salander of Daye Salander Antiques … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Other Vintage Things | Leave a comment