Fused Art Glass

 Fused Art Glass by Sydenstricker

In the mid-1960s, Bill Sydenstricker developed and perfected the art of creating fused glass objects at Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  He combined his knowledge of Egyptian Art with an understated artistic sense and his training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).   Today, the company that he founded continues in operation, despite his passing in 1994.

This style of glass has been copied, but Sydenstricker was the first to perfect and produce it.  Items are produced in a mold and a stenciled design of fine glass particles is positioned between 2 layers of glass.  As one can imagine, it requires a great deal of skill to stencil multiple colors on a piece!  During kiln firing, the 2 layers of glass and the design all fuse together, sealing the design between the layers.

The resulting glassware has a unique handcrafted look and feel with a distinct texture, sometimes exhibiting air bubbles between the layers.  Although a stencil is used to create multiple pieces of the same pattern, each piece will have slight variations that result from being handmade.

Sydenstricker has made several patterns that have remained popular for many years.  Many patterns are based on flowers and plants, although their lacy Embassy pattern is a notable exception.  

 

Sydenstricker Glass is marked with an etched, cursive signature that can sometimes be hard to find.  It shows up as a white ‘scribble’ on the underside of the item.

Although they are designed to be used, these unique pieces of art should not be used in a microwave or washed in a dishwasher.

Sydenstricker Glass, sometimes referred to as “Cape Cod Glass” continues to gain popularity among aficionados of art glass as well as collectibles.  Please visit our shop to see a nice assortment of Sydenstricker Glass, and Happy Collecting!
  

About the Author

Anita is an active member of Got Vintage Shops. Please visit her store Cousins Antiques on Ruby Lane where she "is pleased to help you find the treasure that speaks to you!"

Elegant Era Glassware

A Glass Riddle

Newport Creamer

When is glass made during the Great Depression not Depression Glass?

When it's happy? 

 

No, when it's Elegant Glass.

In other words all Depression Glass was made during the Great Depression but not all glass made during the Great Depression is Depression glass.

An example of  seams & bubbles in Depression Glass

Huh?

 

There were two main types of glass made in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century.  Depression Glass was totally machine made and therefore much cheaper to produce. This glass was made in a variety of colors and patterns and was often sold in Dime Stores or even given away as promotional items. Due to the way it was manufactured Depression Glass (DG) almost always has visible seams, straw marks and bubbles in the glass.  These are not flaws but a typical characteristic of DG and considered by many collectors as adding to the charm of the glass.

Duncan Miller Teardrop Console Bowl

 

 

 

 

 

  But what if I don’t find flaws charming?  

 

Well, if you want perfect don’t buy Depression Glass

           – buy Elegant Glass!

Elegant glass always was at least partially hand made by skilled craftsmen resulting in a much higher quality glass which although not "perfect" had far fewer flaws. 

 

Fostoria Console Set

Companies such as Heisey, Fostoria, Duncan Miller, Cambrige and other early glass makers employed skilled workers to hand craft their glassware.

Elegant glassware was frequently sold in jewelry stores and was used by the upper middle class for dinner parties and other special occasions. 

It would have been what was called “the good glassware”. 

Vaseline Glass Plates with ground and polished bottoms

 Although molds were used by elegant glassware companies they were hand pressed meaning that a glass maker would gather the molten glass, place it in the mold, swish it around and then bring down the plunger to compress the glass into the shape of the mold. 

Due to the skill of the glass maker this method resulted in fewer bubbles and a finer product than machine made glass.
 

Fry Glass Diamond Optic

Another method used by elegant glass companies was mold blown glass where the glass was mouth blow into a mold, requiring a high level of skill.  This produced a thinner glass and was often used for stemware.  

Elegant glass is also fire polished which means that the glass is finished by direct application of flames which eliminates straw marks and obvious mold marks to produce a smooth and brilliant surface.

In addition, the bases of plates, cups and the like are always ground and polished.

Fostoria Baroque w Shirley Etch

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow that’s a lot of work! 

                  ...but what about the patterns?

I was just getting to that!

At this point in the manufacturing process some pieces are complete but others have another step. Many patterns have etched designs where the piece of glassware, called a blank at this point, is passed along to the decorating department. 

  

An example of Needle Etching

The most common decorating method on Elegant Glass is needle etching. This method involves coating the glass with a film or wax then using a machine that activates needles which remove the protective layer from the portion of the glass where the design is desired. Next the glass is placed in contact with acid, which eats into the unprotected surface of the glass. The wax or film is then removed leaving a precise pattern.

Cambridge Carmen Dinner Plate

 

Is there still Elegant Glass being made today?

 

Sadly the majority of the well known Elegant Glass companies closed their doors in the 1950’s due to high production costs and the onslaught of cheap imported glassware.

Fortunately much of this beautiful glass remains and is highly sought after by collectors either to add to or start their own sets of this truly elegant glass.

About the Author

 Karen Mantone-Pillar is one of the founders and admin of Got Vintage Shops. She currently owns and operates two online shops; Charmings Collectibles on Etsy, and a stand alone web store CharmingsCollectibles.com.

Vintage Stainless Steel Flatware

Stainless Steel Flatware...

The Workhorse of the Kitchen Table

Mid Century Modern Stainless Steel Steak Knife and Carving Set 

Nasco Astro

Tom and I shop many estate sales....I had never looked at the kitchen silverware drawers.  I was more interested in those lovely sets of sterling and silverplated flatware.  I love them and I love finding matches for my customers and I have received countless notes and letters telling me how thrilled a family was to be able to once again use mom's or grandma's silverware at the holiday dinner. 

Then, a sharp liquidator pointed me into the kitchen.  She said "you know, this stainless is quite valuable".  She showed me a set of Dansk Fjord.  It was service for 8 with serving pieces.  I immediately said no, I couldn't sell that!  She talked me into it.   At the time I was selling on that on line auction site.  My set of stainless flatware got over 20 bids and I made a nice profit  from the purchase.  Well, let me tell you, I was hooked.

Vintage Oneida Stainless Steel Flatware Melissa Pattern

Many young people today don't want the chore of caring and maintaining a set of sterling or silverplate.  They love the easy care and casual feel of stainless steel.  Many have rescued or in inherited mom's or grandmothers set.  Of course, since it was the every day set, it was not treated so kindly.  Pieces were lost, went missing at the potluck, got scraped into the garbage or ended up in the backyard sandbox.  Now the hunt is on for those missing pieces.  I'm always on the lookout for quality sets.  Oneida was one of the biggest manufacturers of quality American made stainless steel for the latter part of the 20th century. 

Reference material is limited on stainless steel and I've learned by trial and error.  In 1998 Replacements published a comprehensive pattern guide to stainless steel flatware.  To the best of my knowledge it is no longer being published.  I'm guessing Replacements would have some copies to sell.  It has been an invaluable source for me as I've matched 100's of patterns and sold 1,000's of pieces. 

Oneida Betty Crocker Patrick Henry 11 Seafood Cocktail Forks

Now, at the estate sales while I'm looking at the silverplate and sterling, Tom is out in the kitchen digging through the drawers looking for the stainless steel.  Sometimes we're lucky enough to find brand new sets, never used.   Many times, I find a set in the good silverware drawer in the dining room.  Many families had two sets of stainless, one for everyday and one for company.

Stainless steel is sturdy and it can go in the dishwasher.  It polishes nicely using a quality stainless polish.  Most patterns had many serving pieces and lots of extras like ice tea spoons, butter knives and demitasse spoons.

And, if you think about it, stainless steel is what most of us grew up with.  It's what brings back great memories of mealtime and conversations around the kitchen table.

About the Author

Carolyn O'Bayley is one of the founders and an active member of Got Vintage Shops. She and her husband Tom have two wonderful shops:

Cobayley Vintage Jewelry Antiques Collectibles on Ruby Lane 

Cobayley Plaza on Ruby Plaza.

Vintage Hats

The Fascinator

Last year’s royal wedding might have given you a bad impression of fasincators with the outrageous styles that bounced down the aisle.

In reality, fascinators are marvelous fashion accessories, adding spark to any ladies wardrobe.  Lightweight and flexible you won’t get “hat hair”  Also, since they can be worn, straight or tilted, they look great with most hair styles.  Ladies who don’t think they look good in hats should try one out.

This beautiful pink style has been in my personal collection since the 70′s and it is a wonderful example of 60′s high fashion.

 

About the Author 

 Pam is an active member of Got Vintage Shops. Please visit her store Madge's Hatbox on Etsy for a selection of hats, jewelry and other vintage treasures.

Vintage Fairy Lamps

Collecting Fairy Lamps

There are so many kinds and styles, from simple hobnail patterns to elaborately hand painted varieties. If you use these wonderful collectible items, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Heat can be an enemy to glass and many other materials. The flame from even a small votive or tea light candle is sometimes too hot in a lamp and it can cause the body to crack. In addition to the heat from the flame, melted wax can pool and hold enough heat to cause damage as well - not to mention the mess that will need to be cleaned!

• One way to help protect your Fairy Lamps and other candle cups is to use a votive holder. A votive holder is usually made of glass and is similar in size and shape to a shot glass. They are fairly common, can be inexpensive and are found in a variety of colors and patterns, so they will blend in with your collection. Sitting a votive candle or a tea light candle inside the votive holder before placing it inside a fairy lamp accomplishes a couple things. It keeps the melted wax from directly contacting the lamp and it acts as another layer of protection - insulation, if you will - between the lamp and the heat.

•  Another way to protect your collection is to use the battery operated tea lights that have recently become readily available. The light produced by battery operated tea lights is more yellow than the blue-white of a flame, resulting in a different look when lit. However, they don't produce the level of heat that a flame does and they don't produce melted wax! A nice bonus is the safety factor - especially if there are children and/or pets in the vicinity!

Although no lighting method is foolproof, I hope these ideas will result in less damage and more enjoyment of the beauty that Fairy Lamps have to offer.

About the Author

Anita is an active member of Got Vintage Shops. Please visit her store Cousins Antiques on Ruby Lane where she "is pleased to help you find the treasure that speaks to you!"

Vintage Independence Day Celebration!

Hooray for the Red White and Blue

What better way to Celebrate the Fourth than with some traditional activities featuring vintage items? Here are some of my favorites!   

 Fly the Flag  

- whether on a flag pole or by wearing a pin like this one, display it proudly!

Denim Striped Shorts

 I Love A Parade 

- be sure to wear the red, white and blue!

Silk Scarf

Grilling Cookbook

Grill and Chill 

- Vintage items for a great backyard Barbeque!

Pyrex Mixing Bowl

 It wouldn't be the 4th without ~

 Homemade Potato Salad

Ice cold watermelon

 

 ... and how about strawberry ice cream

 in these colonial blue goblets?

Colonial Blue Goblets

Watermelon Pot Holders

 Bring on the Fireworks!

Relax and enjoy the fireworks and great vintage items in this YouTube video featuring some of our Ruby Lane shops

About the Author

Our You Tube video was produced by Helen Gilbert who is a member and on staff at Got Vintage Shops. She owns and operates Catisfaction's Glass Gallery on Ruby Lane.

Vanity Collectibles

Oh My Vanity...Those Brassy Filigree Dresser Boxes 

At a recent sale, we bought a collection of those rather gaudy, flashy vanity jewelry caskets from the 1960's.  I've seen them advertised from everything from ancient to antique to what they really are, 1960's kitsch.  Many different firms made the boxes to go with a plethora of vanity and dresser accessories of the same style.

Tall regal shaped perfumes, cherub encrusted lipstick holders, poodle adorned pincushions are just a few of the many items that every woman from 16 to 60 desired for her boudoir.  As a child I remember wandering into my Auntie's bedrooms to gaze in awe and desire at their lovely dresser boxes.



Of all the items, these vanity boxes are my favorites.  I've been to antique malls and seen them advertised as Victorian or even older. They are not.  They date from late 1940's into the 1970's.   The boxes came in many different sizes.  Favorite among collectors are the very large oversized boxes.  An added plus is if the beveled glass is in a smoke or bronze hue.

All are "over the top" so to speak.  Very repousse decoration are the norm.  The insides were often times lined with velvet pads or felt lining.  The very fancy ones had tufted velvet pads in the bottoms.  What better way for milady to display her treasured rhinestone baubles. Then she could view them at a glance.

The boxes came in all different sizes and shapes, round ones, square ones, heart shaped ones and even this butterfly shaped box that we recently found.

Of the many companies that made the accessories, the most common to find are Stylebuilt and Matson.  These companies operated out of San Francisco area.  And no, the Matson pieces were not giveaways from Matson Steamship Co.  So many urban myths have spread about these pretties that it is becoming difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.  A very talented collector and dealer in perfumes has a website devoted to history of these pieces and a casual search on the internet will find her guide or website.

So, when you are out and about at the estate sales and antiques fairs do not pass up these beauties from the not so distant pass.  They are lovely and make wonderful treasure boxes to display bits of jewelry and small collectibles.  I've seen tiny dolls resting inside and being perfectly at home.  They are a wonderful way to present a special gift to a special lady.  They bring back fond memories for many of us.

About the Author

Carolyn O'Bayley is one of the founders and an active member of Got Vintage Shops. She and her husband Tom have two wonderful shops:

Cobayley Vintage Jewelry Antiques Collectibles on Ruby Lane 

Cobayley Plaza on Ruby Plaza.