Hello! From the NikNakNook on Etsy

Visit or follow my blog to get special coupon codes and special previews of items up for sale in my Etsy Shop - The NikNakNook

Friday, October 11, 2013

1970s California Art Pottery Weed Pots



I finally decided to part with my collection of pots I had on my kitchen windowsill. I can't, however, promise I'll never buy another one....


See them all at my Etsy shop, the NikNakNook!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Vintage Barbershop Supplies House of Hawick Pottery - Deadstock


Great old-time men's toiletries, in great little pottery bottles - all sealed, with product inside. To top it all off, a oh-so-macho shaving mug. All the graphics are clear and bright with very little wear - any barber would love these to put on the shelf.


Buy 'em at my Etsy shop, The NikNakNook!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Fave of the Day - Bad A** Bust - Breaking Bad's Heisenberg


This guy's work is pretty freakin' amazing - The shows not bad either! This little beauty may keep you up nights -- I don't know how well I'd sleep having this bust glaring at me, but it certainly deserves a special spot on the shelf.


Buy it from ChristopherGenovese!

1950s Vintage Silk Scarf - Old School Sports



I can see a cheerleader, circa 1950, wearing this around her neck - graphically nostalgic images of men playing sports - love the short shorts and leather helmets.

Silk, hand-hemmed.

Purchase it at my Etsy shop, The NikNakNook!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Fave of the Day - French Post Box in Cast Metal


Oooo la la, I like! Why does everything sounds better when it's in French? Even the mail sounds sexier.  In a sunny yellow color to boot. Get this while you can!



See it at Maintenant on Etsy!

You sexy Beast! Perverted Pachyderms - Taylor and Ng Coffee Mug



Ah, only in San Francisco.

The people at Taylor and Ng designed some very iconic items for the home. I happen to have a T&N wok I bought just after I was married back in the, ahem, 1980s.

But everyone's favorites were their naughty mugs. All manner of beasts doing the beast with two backs. I also have another one, also elephants, but in a different style. Take a look...



Buy it here at my shop, The NikNakNook!

In loving memory of handmade

I remember when you could buy something on Etsy, and know it was actually handmade. What do I mean by handmade?

Something made by someone's hands. No mechanization involved. Yup, that means NO sewing machines, printers, computers, 3-d printers and the ilk.

It also means NOT made in a factory, no matter how small.

So in memory of what used to be considered handmade, I have designed, with the assistance of a computer, an image you can share with anyone and everyone. It isn't, by my definition, handmade, although Etsy may see it differently.


It's not OOAK, either.



Friday, September 27, 2013

Fave of the Day - Vintage Autumn Dress from VintageStylez



Very Mary Tyler Moore Show. She has this marked as a 60s dress - perhaps, but more like the early 70s. Either way, it's a fabulous find!



Find it at VintageStylez and grab it before it's GONE!!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Blue Willow - Not always blue. Sometimes It's Hand Engraved Silverplate


This is a spectacular piece, and quite rare. Circa 1900s. Hand engraved, made in England. A faithful production of that perennial favorite, the Blue Willow pattern. 

The pattern itself dates back to the 18th century, and has appeared in numerous movies and television shows - a real classic. I've seen it (and sold it) in red, but blue is my personal favorite.

Of course, silver is the new blue!

View this gorgeous platter at The NikNakNook on Etsy!

More Chalk...Where?



Pretty darn awesome Chalkware head - she's large, ebony black with a cluster of gold flowers in her hair.  Dig those red lips - just gorgeous!


Pick her up at The NickNakNook on Etsy!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Heads up, it's Chalk Ware!





Love the distinctive style of each of these plaques. One, haughty and oh, so Locust Valley, the other exotic and mysterious.


Available for purchase at the NikNakNook on Etsy!

Technology in Art, circa 1973





These paintings are from an aerospace company - I love the room sized computer equipment and illustrative style.


Available for purchase at my shop, the NikNakNook on Etsy

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Vintage Mahjong Set Two 2-Tone Catalin - Burgundy and Butterscotch



Beautiful set, I'm very sad to part with. Two-toned in deep merlot with butterscotch fronts. Bright colored engraved images. A gorgeous set.


See more information at my shop on Etsy!

Odd stuff I've sold on Etsy

Not quite weird, a wrong turn at unique - best described as odd.

a My Little Pony pillow cover from the 1980s



Mamma weiner dog with puppies hat rack 


Object d'art made of molten metal (featured on the front page blog)



One of at least 6 or 7 different airline blankets



Hottentots on a motorcycle


Deadly (and somewhat illegal) Jarts

Top ten things you should never buy new




Garage sales and thrift stores always have an abundance of certain items. No matter where I go, there's always tons of these particulars gathering dust, and sold on the CHEAP! Such is the surplus of these at garage sales, rummage sales and thrifts - I've concluded one should NEVER NEVER NEVER buy them new. Here they are:

10. T-shirts. Why pay $20 for a t-shirt made in China, when you can go to the Goodwill and pick one up for 1.99?


 9. Picture Frames. I've found many an oil painting without a frame, but my local thrifts always have piles of frames to chose from for a couple of bucks. A cheap frame from Aaron Brothers will put you back anywhere from $20 - $200.

8. Wine Glasses. What's the difference between a 65 cent goblet and a $40 one? If you buy the 65 cent one, you can spend $39.35 on a really good bottle of wine.


7. Kid Videos. Yeah, yeah, no one sells new video tapes. But why spend $15 on a Little Mermaid CD - do you really think a 4 year old cares about Hi Def?

6. Glass Vases. If I had a dollar for every vase I've seen at a thrift store, I'd be able to buy real estate in Manhattan. Because a dollar is pretty much what most of them go for, vs what you'll spend at Target.

5. Kid Books. I've found every conceivable popular paperback for young readers and I've never paid more than 50 cents.

4. Candy Dishes. Also known as nut dishes, condiment dishes, pickle dishes. Unless you're 80 years old and put doilies on your sofa you don't use these things, and certainly do NOT need to buy a new one. Or an old one, for that matter.

3. Coffee Mugs. I don't need all my mugs to match. Frankly, when I have guests, it's good for everyone to have a different mug, so everyone knows which is theirs.

2. Christmas decorations. People throw these out by the TRUCKLOADS. You name it - glass balls, ornaments, lights, serving dishes, wreaths, trees, candles, cards, jewelry. You can deck out an entire home for less money than 5 new ornaments.


...and the number one thing you should never buy new...



1. Microwave cookbooks. For every one regular cookbook, there are five of these. Why? Who the $#%^@ does anything other than reheat leftovers, boil water or heat up a TV dinner in a microwave?









Fave of the Day - Dog Pod 2.0




This doggie has it made! Expensive? Yup. Cool as heck! OH YEAH!

See this and more awesome furniture at Vurvdesign!

Vintage ENGINEER Drafting Mechanic TOOLS


Old Skool Tools for your favorite nerd! Everything from a slide rule to a pocket protector!

See more about it at my Etsy shop!

Atkins Bros Silverplate Butter Server - Thorley's Special Prize


Anything will look elegant served in this lovely dish. Imagine lifting the dome and revealing something as simple as a cupcake, or as special as an engagement ring!

So, what's 'Thorley's Special Prize? You'll have to read more about it...

...at my Etsy shop!

Vintage Bjorn Wiinblad - Danish Modern Pottery


This little danish sandwich plate represents the month of April. Each plate in this series tells the story of a young couples love affair.

See it here at my Etsy shop!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Fave of the Day - Dinosaur Planter in Bright Orange



Who doesn't want a dinosaur planter!!

View it on Etsy at crazycouture!

Vintage Copper Wall Sculpture - Young Woman


A beautifully done 'loving hands at home' project. Sculpted copper sheet of a winsome girl. Signed with a message on the back.

Nice little hanger in back.

7.5" x 11"

View it at my shop!

Vintage Cake Plate Platter GERMAN PORCELAIN


This dish will make any cupcake even tastier. Lovely, delicate, made in Germany.

Platter is 9.75" diameter.

View it at my shop!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Coupon Code - Good for July - August!


Use coupon code - NIKNAKS - for 10% off your next purchase at my Etsy shop, The NikNakNook!

For the Guys - Vintage Measuring Tape LUFKIN


A quality Lufkin measuring tape, perfect pocket size. Works beautifully.

See this at my Etsy Shop!