I have not posted in quite a while, because I have been very busy doing in my store, On the Avenue, which has left little time to talk about it....  I am sure marketers would say that's not the best idea.  But, speaking of marketers, I received something today that just could not go by without comment.  For several years, since I turned 48, I believe, I have been receiving what I call "old fart" offers--from just about every enterprise who thinks they can make a buck off of so-called "baby boomers."  It is like they all went to the same marketing seminar at which they were told, "Don't over look the HUGE potential (to sell, sell, sell) of all those boomers getting old (and, presumably, simple, senile, and/or gullable) at the same time.  Personal information such as age, name, and address, are available as a matter of public record, unfortunately, and one of the very first businesses that sprung up, to try to take advantage was, I am sure, the slimy ones that sell marketing lists.  What I received today, to add to the mountain of solicitations I receive each week, that go directly--unopened--to the rubbish bin, some by way of the shredder, was another credit card offer.  I have sent numerous "Opt-outs" to everybody, as well as requests to not receive offers, to every agency, at every opportunity--to no avail, of course.  This one was from a company that I believe was just recently in the news with some others, for having to pay huge fines for defrauding their card-holders.  Its name contains one word and One number, and not long ago featured a bunch of not-so-bright Vikings in its ads. After today, I wonder if those Vikings may have been played by people from their advertising and promotions department.  The offer suggested I "Check off [my] Bucket List... with [their]...card."  (At 11.9% - 19.9% --VARIABLE--interest, by the way!) As in, "You're gonna die soon, and we have a great idea!You old people travel a lot, right. We want to Capital-ize on all that (and the fact that you have nothing better to do than wander around in groups wearing matching t-shirts). Short-term memory being what it is with you people, you have probably already forgotten what a mess we just made of the economy.  Some of you have lost your retirement savings because of us.  But, what the heck. We know how to really use a current cliche [from a movie with a couple of old actors in it]. So!  Better use our credit card, soon. While you can still toddle on to a tour bus. Won't that be just so much fun!"

Trunks and Touring

Domed trunks, including the popular “camel back” trunks,were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These wooden trunks were reinforced with metal and were often used for traveling on stagecoaches, boats, and trains.

Most of these trunks that were used for travel and storage were covered with canvas or decorated with sheet metal, which might have been embossed or stamped with decorative designs. They might be lined with wall paper and have a patent date stamped on the hinge. But keep in mind that the trunk could have been made several years after the patent date.

Stop in to see our new “Touring” corner—complete with trunks, travel clothing, cameras, and other items needed for a proper 19th century vacation tour.

Cleaning Cut Glass

Every time you wash your cut glass, you risk damaging it. Some specialists advise that the less you handle it (i.e. cleaning), the better it is for the glass.

When you do want to clean it, handwash in lukewarm water (never real hot or real cold). Dry with a soft lint-free cloth. Some people use a vegetable brush to clean the small cut areas—pat dry and then use the cloth in the cuts to absorb all the water.

If you are using a cut glass vase, don’t let the water sit for a week. Keep changing the water. If you get a little bit of discoloration, use a denture cleaner tablet in water inside the vase overnight.

Tiffany: Real or Fake?

How do you tell the real Tiffany from the many imitators and fakes? Start by reading up on Tiffany, looking at pictures, genuine pieces, and talking to dealers and collectors.

Examine enough pieces so that you feel that you can recognize Tiffany’s iridescence and a good Tiffany signature. Even collectors that have years of experience know that judging an authentic Tiffany is sometimes difficult.

• 1. Never be fooled just because something is signed. The fake “Tiffany” is almost always signed.
  2. Learn which patterns Tiffany made. That will help eliminate the reproductions that didn’t copy a Tiffany pattern or didn’t copy it properly.
  3. Watch out for “bargains.” Be wary of the dealer who brags that the item sold at the big auction house for $5,000 but you can have it for $1,000. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer who will guarantee the authenticity of the piece.

Cuckoo Clocks

There are several things to consider when looking for that special Cuckoo Clock for your home.

Do you want a one-day clock? By definition, this will need to be wound every day. Winding this sort of clock is easy once you have the hang of it. You simply pull the chains and lift the weights up to the base of the clock. You can do it every morning or at night, or whenever you walk past the clock!

There is also the eight-day clock. This is wound every week, depending on how high you hang it from the floor. Some of the specialty clocks with the animated figures are better hung lower so you can see all the detail. Then the clock will need to be wound every four days or so.

Perhaps you want the traditionally carved clock, with the leaves and bird/stag top piece, or is the more modern Chalet style clock the one for you? Then, do you want just the cuckoo call on the clock, or do you want music as well? Musical clocks usually come with dancing figures that twirl around in the top of the clock, and there can be a water wheel as well. This will slowly turn around while the music is playing. Some clocks have figures that move when the cuckoo calls. There are wood choppers, beer drinkers, wanderers, hunters, bears on see-saws and all sorts of things!

How much you want to spend? Your new Cuckoo Clock can start from under $200 for a wonderful little clock that will give you years of joy!!

The bigger eight-day Chalet clocks can range up to many thousands of dollars, but a great sized clock with animation can start from just over $500.00. It’s worth your time and consideration: there is a Cuckoo Clock for every home and budget.

Miss Me?

I have been sooo busy! Tomorrow, April 1, is our First Anniversary!

I've been re-arranging and adding new items to the store! Stop by tomorrow to see us.

Remember, that's tomorrow--and that's no April Fool's Joke!

Testing for Bakelite

Bakelite, a type of plastic, was discovered by accident in 1907 by a Belgian born chemist, Dr Leo Baekeland (1863-1944). Having moved to New York he inadvertently created the first completely man made liquid resin, which he named Bakelite. When poured, it completely assumed the shape of the mold it was in. It soon became an inexpensive choice for jewelry, cosmetics boxes, kitchenware...But did you know they also made Bakelite shaving kits, cameras, radios, plugs, handbags, records, Christmas light bulb casings, silverware handles, pitchers, cups...even furniture?

One of the biggest collections of Bakelite jewelry ever amassed belonged to Andy Warhol, and was stored in several bonded warehouses across the USA. In the film Top Hat, featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the floor was constructed out of Bakelite for the dance scenes. Evidently the most suitable material available at the time!

Since Bakelite is a resin-type of material, there can be a chemical reaction if a certain compound is rubbed against it. A simple test for Bakelite is to use Simichrome Polish, a pink polishing paste used by motorcycle and auto enthusiasts. When applied with a soft cloth or a Q-tip and rubbed against Bakelite, the friction and chemical interaction will turn the Simichrome a bright, rusty orange color.

Scrubbing Bubbles was once the standard cleaner to use for Bakelite testing, but experts now recommend Formula 409 instead. To use, dampen a cotton swab with 409 and rub it gently on the inside of the item being tested. If it's Bakelite, the swab will turn yellow. If a piece is lacquered, it may test negative with 409. Black Bakelite pieces often fail this test as well. Use the other tests above to confirm authenticity if a piece you suspect to be Bakelite fails with 409.

Another test is to listen for the "clunk" when two pieces of Bakelite are tapped together. This very distinctive sound is often heard when two or more Bakelite bangles are worn at the same time. Try tapping two pieces of another type of plastic together, and compare the sound to two pieces of true Bakelite the next time you're out shopping where Bakelite is on display.

Also, consider the weight of a piece of plastic, especially jewelry. Bakelite feels heavier, more dense when compared to other types of plastics. Hold another piece of plastic in one hand, and a piece of Bakelite of approximately the same size in the other. You'll notice the heavier feel of the Bakelite.

Rub the item in question vigorously with your thumb until you feel the plastic heat up. Then, before it cools, take a whiff. A distinct chemical odor similar to formaldehyde will linger with most genuine Bakelite. This often takes a bit of practice. Some noses find better results when the piece of plastic is placed under hot running tap water before sniffing it. This test works well with Bakelite bangle bracelets.

Look for wear scratches and patina that new pieces of plastic don't normally exhibit. Also look for tiny chips on the edges of carving. Examine the piece with a jeweler's loupe or another type of magnifier, if needed. Generally, an old piece of Bakelite will not be free of some minor scratching and wear, even though it is in excellent condition by a collector's standards.