Open, Open, Open.

Looks like we are no longer the new kid on the block.

Little Shop of Hoarders 6397 Telegraph Ave. Oakland

Opened Thursday, Aug 25 so get your tail over there before all the good stuff is gone.

Oakland: Crimson Horticultural Rarities

I stumbled upon a small and precious jewel in our nearby Temescal neighborhood last Sunday. If you haven't already been there, take a look at Crimson. Owned and operated by Allison Futeral and Laura Lambert, this little shop is amazing. 

 

Filled with potted arrangements in one of a kind vintage vessels, precious bits from local artisans, and a nice selection of plants -succulents and tropical. The menu board said they offer special occasion floral projects too. I was there for a really long time. Gorgeous.

Crimson Horticultural Rarities, 470A 49th St. Oakland, CA (between Clarke St & Telegraph Ave, in the Temescal Alley behind Pizzaiolo & Dona Tomas).

The Permanent Collection

Sometimes you just have to bring it home. That's what happened when I saw this 1920's tea canister at an estate sale last week. And the little chalkware Shriner? Mine.

1920's Metal Tea Canister

 

F Troop: Tucker

  

Looks like Forrest Tucker, huh?

Oh yeah...
the new neighbors are almost ready to open. It's looking really fancy over there.

"Sex Pistols? Is That a Band?"

I made a Johnny Rotten reference to a late 20-something tonight.  "Who's that?", she asked. No offense Ms C, but...

Really? Were you born in a cave?

This Weeks Find: Cracker Jack

My nursing classes start soon so I'm on a mission to fill the store. Ended up with a bunch of vintage novelty items -Mr Peanut, Smokey the Bear, Cracker Jack charms

Doll furniture, plastic heart, silly stuff

Big news: our new neighbors will be opening at the end of August. We'll give you a sneak peek soon. Pssst. They sell antiques too.

Unicorns and Rainbows

Last Sunday we trudged through the SF Gift show sifting through the usual unicorn and rainbow clutter. Uuugh.
The Vintage Collection floor, featuring smaller vendors with hand made merchandise and vintage treasure contained a few unexpected treats this year. One in particular,

 Monica Medeiros and Reece Santos of Hic Sunt Leones Press are based in Port Costa California. We were lucky enough to get a small selection of their hand printed cards.

Big Shoes

Roger and I had a lot to do today. Before heading to the city for the San Francisco Gift Show, we hit the Alameda Flea Market and got some great stuff. Best buy of the day for me? 70's pickle green El Padrino platforms from Spain

These are keepers.



I don't dare go out tonight or I'll break my neck trying to re-create the Big Shoe dance from Pee Wee's Big Adventure.

A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea

Ship Diorama / Hand Painted Mermaids on Glass Case

I have very generous friends who give me thoughtful gifts all year 'round. Last week I received 3 mermaids. Getting a mermaid as a gift isn't necessarily a surprise (I've been collecting them for many years). But three at once? Well, that's just a reminder that I should share with you. So here's a look at a few in my collection, and a couple I saw online, just in case you'd like to collect them too.

Vintage Arcade Photo



An Original Tale



Carnival "Wigglers"


The little book, Mermaid Meat is an original story based on a Japanese proverb. Short passionate tale, a bit gruesome. Great.

1940's EBAY Mermaid Lamp

Fish Tank Diver

Many of the figures I have are antique Japanese fish tank mermaids. There are a number of them on EBAY. The best part? They dont take up very much room.

Conflagration: The &*%$ Hits The Fan

So the process of cleaning up is underway, thanks to all of my family and friends who have really pitched in and made life bearable in these exciting times. Fire bad.