retina said:

I'm always on the look-out for valuable things that don't cost much. In Madison, WI I used to go to St. Vincent DePaul thrift store on my days off. I bought two vases that I thought were worth more than the $2 and $4 respectively.I could tell they were hand-blown.

When I got home and really examined them, I found both were hand-etched/signed with the artists' names and each was numbered. I looked them up online (actually contacted one artist personally) and found one retailed at $200 (it was small yet weighed about 6lb) and the other was about $190. One was a Kosta Boda Ulrica Hydman-Vallien design... the classic white “Caramba” vase. Similar to this one but half-size...

This one sells on Amazon for $281

I had pics of them on my other computer that crashed and i'm in Texas now. I do have a pic of a handmade mirror from Italy. I paid $2 for it. It's the ornate one in the center of the crosses.

Who just gives this stuff away??

[Edited 8/30/10 17:55pm]

Number23 said:

retina said:

Right now I'm hoping my sister will pick up a few pairs of socks for me in Norway. They're of a special brand that's very hard to find (no online sales either) but they're the most comfortable socks you'll ever wear, and they're reinforced in all the right places so they last at least five times as long as regular socks. I'm thinking of stocking up on a few and not use them at all, so that when they go out of production I'll still be able to take out a fresh, unworn pair. lol

Reading that paragraph is the longest I've ever thought about socks in my life.

You know what? As soon as I finished it I thought to myself "wow, that ended up much longer than I had intended - I sound like a sockoholic!" and I even thought about erasing the whole thing for that reason. But the fresh memory of the laborious typing effort prevented me from doing so! lol

Thank you for getting through it. I'll really try to make it more interesting next time.

retina said:

johnart said:

[img:$uid]http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i9/jgascot/bed1.jpg[/img:$uid]

Loving the pics of Tamara de Lempicka paintings (I was lucky to see an exhibition of her works at the Royal Academy in London 6 years ago )

[and save the woods, don't paint them!]

.

kumala75 said:

johnart said:

[img:$uid]http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i9/jgascot/bed1.jpg[/img:$uid]

Loving the pics of Tamara de Lempicka paintings (I was lucky to see an exhibition of her works at the Royal Academy in London 6 years ago )

[and save the woods, don't paint them!]

.

We've never gotten to see an exhibition of her work.

Seems rare, even most big museums I've been to don't really seem to have her work in their collections (at least exhibited when I've visited).

Love the pieces!

I am in the "Don't Paint White" group.

I agree with paintedlady that it looks cheaper.

When I bought my house, I LIVED in BBB! That's the store!

I always use my coupons to get 20% off Yankee Candles, too!

I saw a Snuggie there the other day.... with Pockets!

I didn't buy it, tho. Didn't see a point.

Although I need one for the Lincoln Memorial....

chocolate1 said:

Love the pieces!

I am in the "Don't Paint White" group.

I agree with paintedlady that it looks cheaper.

When I bought my house, I LIVED in BBB! That's the store!

I always use my coupons to get 20% off Yankee Candles, too!

I saw a Snuggie there the other day.... with Pockets!

I didn't buy it, tho. Didn't see a point.

Although I need one for the Lincoln Memorial....

If you buy a new Snuggie just to take a pic on the gathering Imma at you.

Got this Thomas McKnight print yesterday at auction for half the gallery pricing. I generally dislike his work but this one is the antithesis of what he typically does so I loves it. Can't wait til it arrives

Then I also got my 2nd Erte yesterday for about 1/3 of what it is on the open market. I've been lusting after this for 5 years. I love the theme in this which is Samson and Delilah.

johnart said:

chocolate1 said:

Love the pieces!

I am in the "Don't Paint White" group.

I agree with paintedlady that it looks cheaper.

When I bought my house, I LIVED in BBB! That's the store!

I always use my coupons to get 20% off Yankee Candles, too!

I saw a Snuggie there the other day.... with Pockets!

I didn't buy it, tho. Didn't see a point.

Although I need one for the Lincoln Memorial....

If you buy a new Snuggie just to take a pic on the gathering Imma at you.

Meanie!

No seriously... I don't plan on buying it.

chocolate1 said:

johnart said:

If you buy a new Snuggie just to take a pic on the gathering Imma at you.

Meanie!

No seriously... I don't plan on buying it.

I got a coupon...

tinaz said:

chocolate1 said:

Meanie!

No seriously... I don't plan on buying it.

I got a coupon...

SCNDLS said:

Got this Thomas McKnight print yesterday at auction for half the gallery pricing. I generally dislike his work but this one is the antithesis of what he typically does so I loves it. Can't wait til it arrives

This is so me.

Especially the faces and ti-tays.

Weekend before last I was gifted this really cool piece of pottery (?)

Jim bought it at a yard sale ...

This is the name on it

I REALLY dislike the orgs new posting format ~ grrrr

ANYWAY

I would love to know more about this piece

I REALLL love it !!

johnart said:

noimageatall said:

NONONO...don't you dare paint those pieces white. Mixing wood is very Frasier Cranish.

I loved his apt. I hate things that 'match.' I love the eclectic look.

So no painting! Are we clear????

If there was ever a post to convince me not to paint all the wood. THIS IS IS!!!

There 3 other folk said don't do it (and Ron was fine either way. He generally will go with what I want design-wise, he's just like "How much is it gonna cost me? ) but this post seals the deal.

YOU HAVE SAVED THE WOOD!

Its a beautiful color that is for sure... But, is it veneer? because if its veneer, i never have any problems in paining it! Ive attached these carved wood appliques to furniture finds, painted them black and added either glass knobs or an antiqued or brushed silver and they turn out GORGEOUS!

SCNDLS said:

Got this Thomas McKnight print yesterday at auction for half the gallery pricing. I generally dislike his work but this one is the antithesis of what he typically does so I loves it. Can't wait til it arrives

Then I also got my 2nd Erte yesterday for about 1/3 of what it is on the open market. I've been lusting after this for 5 years. I love the theme in this which is Samson and Delilah.

Girl, I love Erte! I have one reproduction, but if I had my druthers, my whole house, inside and out, would be in the Deco style. I just love anything Art Deco, even the clothes.

SCNDLS said:

Got this Thomas McKnight print yesterday at auction for half the gallery pricing. I generally dislike his work but this one is the antithesis of what he typically does so I loves it. Can't wait til it arrives

Then I also got my 2nd Erte yesterday for about 1/3 of what it is on the open market. I've been lusting after this for 5 years. I love the theme in this which is Samson and Delilah.

Do you know what number you got on the ERTE?

And, John. DON'T YOU DARE PAINT YOUR NEW PIECES WHITE! You will fuck them up for sure.

Shyra said:

SCNDLS said:

Got this Thomas McKnight print yesterday at auction for half the gallery pricing. I generally dislike his work but this one is the antithesis of what he typically does so I loves it. Can't wait til it arrives

Then I also got my 2nd Erte yesterday for about 1/3 of what it is on the open market. I've been lusting after this for 5 years. I love the theme in this which is Samson and Delilah.

Girl, I love Erte! I have one reproduction, but if I had my druthers, my whole house, inside and out, would be in the Deco style. I just love anything Art Deco, even the clothes.

Love me some Erte.

It's amazing how many designers are totally ripping from his 80 year old designs. Just today I was looking at his sculptures and recognized one was the basis for that crazy Oscar gown and headress Bob Mackie designed for Cher the year after she won for Moonstruck. And also years ago when Thierry Muegler (sp?) sent Madonna down the runway pushing a baby carriage he was actually biting Erte's Cornucopia. But most folks don't even know.

This is my other Erte.

[img:$uid]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j132/tamarasmith1/100_0949.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 8/31/10 10:49am]

Here's the Erte-inspired dress I'm talking about

[img:$uid]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x287/arthuro73/CherTheveryOscar_502.jpg[/img:$uid]

tinaz said:

johnart said:

If there was ever a post to convince me not to paint all the wood. THIS IS IS!!!

There 3 other folk said don't do it (and Ron was fine either way. He generally will go with what I want design-wise, he's just like "How much is it gonna cost me? ) but this post seals the deal.

YOU HAVE SAVED THE WOOD!

Its a beautiful color that is for sure... But, is it veneer? because if its veneer, i never have any problems in paining it! Ive attached these carved wood appliques to furniture finds, painted them black and added either glass knobs or an antiqued or brushed silver and they turn out GORGEOUS!

I don't think so. If so, only in spots. Gotta look closer.

I'm really not making the decision to paint/not paint based on any sort of resale value. I never do this. Life is too short and I'm not a dealer, so I want to enjoy something today the way I want it without limiting myself because of resale. I'm more concerned with what will look best with the look I'm pulling together.

Shyra said:

And, John. DON'T YOU DARE PAINT YOUR NEW PIECES WHITE! You will fuck them up for sure.

OK

johnart said:

tinaz said:

Its a beautiful color that is for sure... But, is it veneer? because if its veneer, i never have any problems in paining it! Ive attached these carved wood appliques to furniture finds, painted them black and added either glass knobs or an antiqued or brushed silver and they turn out GORGEOUS!

I don't think so. If so, only in spots. Gotta look closer.

I'm really not making the decision to paint/not paint based on any sort of resale value. I never do this. Life is too short and I'm not a dealer, so I want to enjoy something today the way I want it without limiting myself because of resale. I'm more concerned with what will look best with the look I'm pulling together.

Couldnt have said it better myself! I was always getting berated because Id paint furniture... PFFT its just wood people!

tinaz said:

johnart said:

I don't think so. If so, only in spots. Gotta look closer.

I'm really not making the decision to paint/not paint based on any sort of resale value. I never do this. Life is too short and I'm not a dealer, so I want to enjoy something today the way I want it without limiting myself because of resale. I'm more concerned with what will look best with the look I'm pulling together.

Couldnt have said it better myself! I was always getting berated because Id paint furniture... PFFT its just wood people!

I would be hesitant if I paid a good amount of cash. For example, I really love mid century Danish. If we invested in one of the wall units we've over, of course I would not paint that.

If I pick up a table for $10 and it would perfectly suit a look I'm pulling together by painting it, I've no qualms about it. You can't get a crappy table at Kmart or IKEA for $10 that will pull a look together in any sort of original way. Sometimes a lil' bit of wood must be sacrificed frivulously to the Gods of Decor.

johnart said:

tinaz said:

Couldnt have said it better myself! I was always getting berated because Id paint furniture... PFFT its just wood people!

I would be hesitant if I paid a good amount of cash. For example, I really love mid century Danish. If we invested in one of the wall units we've over, of course I would not paint that.

If I pick up a table for $10 and it would perfectly suit a look I'm pulling together by painting it, I've no qualms about it. You can't get a crappy table at Kmart or IKEA for $10 that will pull a look together in any sort of original way. Sometimes a lil' bit of wood must be sacrificed frivulously to the Gods of Decor.

AMEN brother! And paint is not permanet...

Y'all have no idea how long it took me to figure out what BBB stand for.

Cerebus said:

Y'all have no idea how long it took me to figure out what BBB stand for.

Cerebus said:

Y'all have no idea how long it took me to figure out what BBB stand for.

Better Business Bureau, dummy.

johnart said:

Cerebus said:

Y'all have no idea how long it took me to figure out what BBB stand for.

Better Business Bureau, dummy.

You so craaazzy!