Antique Black Glass Buttons

   As a child, I was fascinated with the round tins that held my grandmother's and then my mother's huge array of buttons. My thrifty grandmother and mother cut off and saved every button from the clothing they cut up to make quilts or rugs. Buttons have been around for hundreds of years and made out of many different types of materials, such as, horn, shell, wood, glass, and just about anything else that could be shaped into a fastener. But the buttons that I marveled at the most in those tins were the buttons made out of jet or black glass.

   Jet is made from decayed organic wood material that has been compressed under extreme pressure.  The term jet came from the French word jaiet.  There are two types of jet, one formed by the compression of carbon with salt water, hard jet, and soft jet formed by compression with fresh water. Anthracite or hard coal has been used to replace real jet and it is difficult to tell the difference between them.

   Queen Victoria made jet popular after her husband, Albert died.  After his death, she only wore black and her black jewelry was made of jet mined in Whitby, England. Jet jewelry became so sought after by the public that the supply was soon depleted and manufactures began to substitute black glass for jet.

   Between 1860 and 1918, Bohemia or today the Czech Republic created thousand of different patterns of black glass buttons in their small workshops.  Glass rods were heated and the molten glass was dropped into hand-cut iron molds. After the buttons cooled, they were hand finished, polished and often decorated with gold or silver. These buttons were shipped worldwide to adorn the latest fashions. Today these buttons are often referred to as antique jet glass buttons and they are collected for their unique designs and beauty.

Read about Antique Metal Buttons

Happy New Year!

 

 

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving 2013

Northwood Glass Works: Unique Colors and Designs

   The Northwood Glass Works began its glass manufacturing operations in January 1888. The factory had previously housed several other glass factories that had decided to move to other locations.  Some minor changes and redecorating was all the plant needed to begin production.  Harry Northwood was named General Manager. Harry learned his trade by working in some of the largest and best glass factories. In 1882, Harry worked in the etching department of Hobbs, Brockunier and Company and his work won three first ribbons at the State Fair.  By January 1884, Harry was working at the La Belle Glass Company but in 1884, La Belle Glass Company closed due to flooding, it was still not open in April of 1885.  Most likely Harry went to work at the Phoenix Glass Company where the company excelled to making colored pitchers, table sets, berry sets and a wide array of glassware. By January, 1886, Harry became General Manager for La Belle Glass. A fire on September 27, 1887 destroyed the La Belle Glass Company but Harry Northwood had mastered the glass manufacturing trade and he decided to open his own glass factory, the Northwood Glass Works.

Northwood Glass Factory

Vintage and Antique Jewelry Store Opening at Reuzeit Emporium

Victorian Locket

Whiting Davis Bracelet and Ring Set

Exciting new things have been happening!  Reuzeit Emporium has been hard at work opening our new shop. This shop carries a unique variety of antique and vintage jewelry, jewelry for all your special occasions. Check out the Whiting Davis bracelets and rings along with Taxco Mexican sterling silver cuff links and money clip. We also have tie tacks, cut crystal and Murano beaded necklaces, turquoise, and antique lockets to keep your loved on close to your heart. Or maybe you're looking for a piece of sweetheart jewelry, such as a cherub bracelet or heart locket, just a special something for her birthday, Christmas, or Valentine's Day. We also have watch fobs, belt buckles, watches and rings. Reuzeit Emporium has it all. While the jewelry shop is officially open,  Reuzeit will be adding to its inventory on a regular bases. This is just a sample of what will be listed so check back often.





Riverside Glass Works: Old Pattern Glass vs. New Pattern Glass

It's strange the memories that come to you and the odd places you are when they arrive. This memory came to me while walking through a department store with my mother. I noticed a display of pretty pressed pattern glass in vibrant colors and I was instantly brought back to my younger years when we used, displayed and loved Early American Pattern Glass.

New pattern glass made in China.

Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) was a treasure in my family and it was a big part of my childhood. Many weekends were spent going to antique show, antique shops and flea markets to add to the collections. My mother, my grandmother and both of my aunts loved Early American Pattern Glass. It seemed to me my grandmother knew everything about these beautiful patterns. I would follow her around and ask her the name of each pattern as she picked it up and examined it for chips and cracks. I always enjoyed the holidays when these beautiful pieces of pattern glass would be set upon the table and used. One glass company produced some of my families favorite patterns, Riverside Glass Works.

Why Buy New …….When You Can Still Own America’s Finest Glass

Walk Till You Drop and Shop, Shop, Shop

Flea markets, love 'em or hate 'em. I have vast experience with flea markets because my mother loved them.  My mother was a driver for an antique dealer in the late forties and early fifties.  It was one of the few jobs that allowed her to bring a baby to work with her.  So I grew up playing in numerous farmyards around the county while the antique dealer searched the occupant’s house for treasures they were willing to sell. Often we made several stops on the way home for the dealer to sell certain items that she bought that day. 

Poncho Villa and My Great Grandmother

                                               Dear Granddaughter,             July 13th, 1916,  McAllen Texas

                                  Grandma is well and getting along all right.  Since July it has
                               rained a shower every day but two.  They tell us the rainy
                               season has commenced. The poor northern boys are finding it
                               rather hard soldiering.  These boys are ten minutes walk from
                               the center of town guarding McAllen and the borders of the Rio
                               Grande south of here. It is seven miles to Hidalgo and Reynosa,
                               Mexico across the river.  Several thousand soldiers are here now

                               and more coming every day. Looks like a city of tents. It is
                               thundering again so will rain again.

                                                                                       Grandma

Independence Day: A Penny to Send a Thought

In the early 1900’s holiday postcards became popular.  For a penny stamp you could send a small greeting to your friend, family member, sweetheart, potential sweetheart or patron of your business. 

Do You Know Your Pipes?

    Pipes have been found throughout most cultures for centuries. There are many different kinds of tobacco pipes, but the shapes of pipes are all variations of a few basic shapes.   Here is a short summary on pipes and a couple of diagram to help you get acquainted.

Timeless Antique and Vintage Father's Day Gifts

    Can you believe it? Mother’s Day is over, but Father's

Ms. Sonora Louise Smart Dodd

Day is just around the corner. It is only three weeks away. Hopefully you have something great planned.

    The history of Father’s Day is not as long as you might think. Some say Father’s Day is over 4000 years old. But the recent history of Father’ Day in the United States makes the date much later.  Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, while listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day, wondered why there was no Father’s Day, honoring all the wonderful fathers in the world. She then started a movement that would take a half a century to procure. She organized the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on June 19 in 1910.

Antique Razor Revolution

    Razors have been around since before the Bronze Age. In prehistoric times, cave drawings depict blades made of clam shells, shark teeth and flint. During the Bronze Age razors were made from bronze and obsidian. Egyptian priests were shaved every three days and the Greeks and Romans were fastidious about the proper care of facial hair. Through the ages, the razor has gone through many changes. The first modern-day straight
edge razors, with harden steel blades, were made in the 1700s in England. Since then, straight edged razors have evolved. The discovery of silver-steel in the 1820s made the metal used to make the blade of the razor look shiny and by 1840 it had replaced cast steel. Not long after, hollow grinding blades made an appearance, hollow grinding means that the sides of the blades cross-section are concave.

 Extra Hollow Ground, 1888 Germany

Companies began making straight-edge razors with hard steel blades and decorated handles making them fashionable for the wealthy. By 1840, the term 'Old English' and The Celebrated Razor were often used. Sometimes the wedge blade was etched with a beautiful design or picture that commemorated a special event. Carves bone and horn, along with bakelite were often used for the handles.

Fiesta Tea Time Challenge Answers

Have you taken the challenge? Can you tell the difference between old and new Fiestaware? If not go the the following blog "Fiesta Tea Time Challenge" and see before you read on.

Cups
1. Old:  Turquoise made from 1937 -1969 (this one was my mothers from the 50's)
2. New: White made from 1986- present (bought at a garage sale)
3. Old: Colbalt Blue made from 1936 -1951 (this one was my mothers from the 50's)
4. New: Periwinkle Blue made from 1989- 2006 (bought at a garage sale)
5. Old: Old Ivory made from 1936-1951(this one was my mothers from the 50's)

Stamps
A. OLD FIESTA MARKING  “HLC on bottom, Genuine on top" Ink stamp under glazing
                          be careful- I do have new pieces with         fiesta         indented stamp, no Genuine on top 
                                                                                      HCl  USA
B. NEW FIESTA MARKING  "HLC on top in Capital Letters"  indented stamp
C. OLD FIESTA MARKING  "HLC on bottom"  indented stamp

            if it says "Lead Free" on the back stamp it was made after 1986
 

Oh……Snow

   People that live in Minnesota are hearty souls.  We can endure snow for six out of twelve months of the year, thirty below zero temperatures with wind chills that dip to sixty below and day after day of gray cloudy skies with serious bouts of cabin fever. But what we can’t tolerate is our spring being hijacked. And that is exactly what has happened this year. 
   Today is April 23, 2013 and normally crocuses, hyacinths, and snow drops are blooming in my yard.

My Life with Margaret Quimby

   In 1965, my husband decided to build a house.  A new housing development was being built around a new elementary school.  Since we had two young children, my husband thought that this area was the perfect place to raise our family. Not only did we need to  build the house, but we needed to furnish it a well.

Collecting Milk Glass Easter Eggs

Milk glass doesn’t just refer to the glass you use to drink your milk. The term is used by collectors referring to a special white opaque type of glass. To Victorian's it became an inexpensive alternative to porcelain tableware. Milk glass has been in production for centuries but before 1900, milk glass was called opal glass by the glass manufacturing companies. It wasn’t until after the 1900’s that the general public started using the term milk glass. 

The old trade catalogues from that time show a huge variety of objects often called novelty pieces. These included, dresser sets, pin trays, salt and pepper shakers, souvenir pieces, nesting chickens, hand painted Easter eggs and just about every kind of whimsy imaginable. (all the linked items are for sale at Reuzeit Emporium)

The Kerosene Lamp Lit their Night

   In 1896, my grandparents were married in a double wedding. The other couple were my grandmother’s older sister, Carrie, and George, a boy from the neighboring farm. It was customary at the time for the oldest daughter to get married before the younger daughters. My engaged Grandmother had to wait five years before Carrie would be engaged herself and ready to marry. It was agreed that Carrie and George would stay on and take over his family farm. My grandmother and grandfather moved up to northern Minnesota, opened a general store, and started a new life on their own.

   Life in 1896 was very different from the life we live today. About three quarters of the country lived and worked on small family farms, the rest lived in small towns or in big cities. Travel was difficult, there were only a few country roads, and most people traveled on rutted trails made by horse drawn wagons. This made it difficult for people to get around and they were isolated in their rural surroundings. Things we take for granted today, like electric lights, indoor plumbing, and central heating did not exist in 1896.

Fiesta Tea Time Challenge

During the 1880 the Homer Laughlin China Works company became well known for it ceramic dinnerware.  Frederick Rhead, and Englishman, was hired as a designer in 1927, and he became famous for his Fiesta dinnerware collection by 1936. The design came in five bright, bold colors; Red (made with uranium which gave it's orangish color), Colbalt Blue, Yellow, Green, and Old Ivory. Turquoise was not introduced until 1937. 

With Fiesta sales soaring in 1936, the Homer Laughlin China Company continued to flourish until the beginning of World War II when production shifted to making military ware. When the war ended, the plant once again began production of Fiesta dinnerware producing over ten million dozen pieces in 1948. In 1959 Rhead's original Fiesta was discontinued and a new Fiesta Ironstone style was created, it was  later discontinued in 1973. A new Fiesta was once again introduced in 1986 and production continues to this day with many new colors added yearly.

Hankies & Heisey

About the time my grandmother, Hattie Griffith,  was making lace to decorate her hankies, construction on the Heisey factory began. It was 1895, the factory later opened in April 1896. They produced fine quality pressed glass. Below is an example of one of the patterns they made called Bead Swag.  Today we call this type of glass, milk glass, but early Heisey trade catalogs referred to it as opal glass.

Blissful Whites Wednesday 1900's Bathroom

Before indoor plumbing, this is your modern bathroom facilities with all the latest accouterments. Can you just image what it was like to get all spruced up for the day?

left back: cold water pitcher and wash basin, chamber pot (thunder mug), hot water pitcher
left front: soap dish, shaving mug or drinking cup, tooth brush holder
below: slop jar

Tea For Two

Just tea for two,

And two for tea,

Just you and me,

How happy we will be!

 This is my first tea party. Take off your shoes and stay awhile. Next time I'll be better prepared with dessert.

I am Linking to:

Bella's Rose Cottage

Magnolia Cottage

 Cedar Pond
Faith Hope & Cherrytea
Two Cottages and Tea

Rags to Riches

To Tuft or Not to Tuft.... That is the question!

This gem of a chair was bought at an auction 5 years ago. I just recently tackled the chair project. The fabric was stained and dirty, something needed to be done.  I had always wanted a red velvet chair in my bedroom. I decided this was the chair and it needed to be taken down to the bare bones. I had done a few projects before, but nothing of this magnitude. Reupholstering was a bit of a challenge. I peeled back a layer of striped gold velvet fabric with no tufting to reveal the fabric and tufted chair you see below. At that time, I decided the new upholstery had to have tufting, my daughter convinced me it would be no trouble, even though we had never attempted anything like it before. The springs had to be retied, new webbing and foam were added to replace the horse hair and saw dust that filled the chair. It became a family affair, my husband joined in and helped with the project. Tufting the new red velvet fabric was the hardest part, my daughter went online and read how to do it, and we followed the directions we found. We used the old tufted fabric as a pattern.  But just look at the results. I have always wanted a chair like this in my bedroom.

Valentines on Display

Decorate your home for the month of February with antique or vintage valentines.  Fill your home with their beauty, their artistry, their romance and/or their whimsy.  Warm your heart with their romantic verses and their messages of love. Enjoy Saint Valentine’s Day to the fullest. For more history on types of antique valentines check out Valentines Through the Ages.

Give me you heart

And you shall have mine,

What’s fairer than that,

Oh, sweet, Valentine

 Shop Reuzeit Emporium's store to start your own valentine collection today.

Valentines Through the Ages:

Antique valentine's are fun to collect and over the years I have had a lot of fun collecting them. Whatever your particular taste, there is a type of valentine for you.  Perhaps one made of fancy paper lace, or a honeycomb card appeals to you, maybe mechanical valentines with moving parts, cut outs, 3-D or just valentines from your childhood.  So many different kinds!  I enjoy the artistry, the romance, and of course, the whimsy. I look everywhere; antique shows, friends and family, shops, auctions, estate sales, and  flea markets.  Once I found a whole collection at a flea market, but the vendor was nowhere around.  I paced, I waited, and I looked at all the nearby tables.  In the end I was rewarded.  She sold them all to me for a dollar a piece and she threw in some extra ones that she had tucked way under the table.  A compensation for my patience, she said.  I love displaying my valentines every year. They are very fragile and must be handled with care, but for one month a year, February, they fill the house with beauty and messages of love.  What fun!

Valentine Fan

This is a 1890's fan valentine.  It says Saint Valentine's Day on the back. Valentine fans played a significant role at a party or a dance in the Victorian Era.  A lady with a fan could signal to a potential suitor.  A touch to her lips with the handle signaled the possibility of a kiss.  The fan held just below her eyes signaled, regretfully, no.

Hearts...A Love Token

This heart has 3 pages and each page has 4 sections containing inspirational messages. The lucky lady that received this card could carry it with her and occasionally read a message to reminded her of the special person that gave her the valentine.