On the Radar -- Going My Way?

Angela Rekucki Fabric - Bikes n Trikes - Chevron in Multi

OK, so you all know about the chevron trend.  They're everywhere.  And they highlight, to me, the way trends move.  Sort of like the spa blue and brown thing from the past decade.  Something becomes an idea in the very high fashion/elite crowd -- and then it trickles down and down and down.  Something that started with Alexander McQueen or  Madeline Weinrib or Jonathan Adler will end up on all kinds of products at Big Lots and Walmart. 

That's the part of the chevron phase we're at right now.  It's beginning its loooooong journey down the slippery slope to the graveyard of dead trends.  A chevron has been done about every possible way you can do it -- it's been through all its various transformations.  It's been modern, it's been Southwestern, it's been hipster.  Three years from now we'll still see chevron prints on dishtowels at the dollar store.

But don't get me wrong.  I love a chevron.  And they're not a new thing.  Fashion and design have loved a chevron for decades.  So for today's trend post, I thought I could highlight a very anti-trendy idea, and what we Blackbird girls love.   Everything old is new again -- although we love trends, we love classics more.

And although the chevron is on the downward death spiral, we know it won't really go away.  Here's our selections for how to keep the trend alive, with vintage picks!

Laminated Bakelite earrings, from Kitsch Bitch 77 on Etsy, here.

Vintage mixing glass, from Need or Want on Etsy, here.

Chevron cardi, from Mouse Face Vintage on Etsy, here.

Vera dishtowel, from Fuzz and Fu on Etsy, here.

Vintage tunic ,from PD Vintage Boutique on Etsy, here.

Vintage purse, from Vagabond Merchant on Etsy, here.

Junk Love Monday: Red Means Go

Although we Blackbird girls are known for being unapologetic shopaholics (ahem...addicts) when it comes to junk, we are selective with what we buy. We do have a budget to stick to, so the items that we buy need to meet certain standards. However, certain characteristics often throw all of our other criteria out the window. At this point, there is no civil discussion. Do we need it? Do we have a place for it? Is it functional? Who cares? It's red. Throw it in the cart. (*This also happens with turquoise items. We'll talk about that later.)

Dansk enamel pot, from EightMileVintage on etsy

Red things just speak to us. It doesn't really matter what it is. From where I am sitting at this moment as I write this post, I can see the following items in my living room: a red handled glass cutter, a red toy telephone, a red planter, five red tins, a red and white toy guitar, vintage red and white polka dot bean bags, a red ice bucket, a selection of large red dice, a red lantern, a red metal store display box, a red letter R, a large red D, and a red bowl full of vintage billiard balls. When I'm bored, I like to type "vintage red" into the search box on Etsy and look at page after page of glorious stuff.

from Evergreensdreams on etsy

So, we like red. And this doesn't even touch the amount of vintage red fabulousness in our kitchen. More to come on that later, but here's a great teaser:

So, I thought I'd look around the Internet for some items that speak our language. What can I say? I'm a glutton/shopaholic who is known for having no restraint whatsoever when buying junk in the month of February (every day is my birthday!), so I may or may not also be buying some of these items. Enjoy!

Hello?, available at TheRotaryShoppe on etsy

handles, from fallaloft on etsy

from BlueSugarVintage on etsy

from twinkleberrytoys on etsy

Be still my heart....; from VintageHoopla on etsy

wallsantiques on etsy

Fondue pot!; HerVintageCrush on etsy

Mid-century lithograph; ModishVintage on etsy

Junk Love Monday: BBBBakelite

We don't collect Bakelite. We just happen to own some items made from it, and occasionally dream of a house full of Bakelite radios and drawer pulls. It's actually pretty easy to find, especially if you pay attention to plastic handled flatware. But finding good, real, quality Bakelite is not as easy. And, unfortunately, it tends to be quite expensive. That doesn't stop us from dreaming, though. So this week, our junk love telescope zooms in on Bakelite treasures that we covet.

Of course, the best Bakelite is in jewelry. Bracelets are pretty easy to find, although some colors are definitely more desirable than others. Pins and necklaces are generally more sought after. Everybody needs a Bakelite sombrero brooch!

AgoObjects on etsy

 Some carved pieces are definitely better than others, but the quality is easy to see. We've all found those Bakelite "dogs" that you have to squint at to pinpoint where the eyes are. But, sometimes, the pieces just sing to you, like this fantastic vintage Halloween bracelet:

craftingfool2003 on etsy

For the black-hearted:

BakeliteArts on etsy

 Or, the Holy Grail of Bakelite jewelry, the cherries:

wasabirose on etsy

Or, for those who love the Bakelite rainbow:

slapmefabulous on etsy

There are also some pretty fantastic Bakelite radios and clocks out there.

vintagebitsblitz on etsy

yesterdayrevival on etsy

We've also come across an electric fan with Bakelite blades:

thelittlebiker on etsy

Buttons and buckles are a great way to get color variety:

FrenchFrouFrou on etsy

Mauibeadworks on etsy

This is a great desk set:

KnickknackFlashback on etsy

Another Holy Grail, this Bakelite and bead purse:

worldmarketproductio on etsy

And, of course, drawer pulls, knobs, and game pieces:

AddVintage on etsy

becaruns on etsy