Junk Love Monday: The Distant Ten

So, we've given away our top shops, big and small, in North Carolina. This week, we whisper into your ear the ten best shops that we've encountered while traveling in other states. Again, in no particular order, we present the following delicacies for your enjoyment:

1. Greater Columbus Antique Mall, Columbus OH
One of our favorite shops that we've ever been to. The layout is confusing, but a fun sort of adventure if you don't mind stairs. They do have an intercom system, but if you need more than one type of help, be sure and speak fast. Otherwise, a speedy employee will appear silently at your elbow, but you'll have to send him to the front desk and back again if you want him to be able to help you with anything else. Example: we needed 3 cases opened in the same area of the shop, but before we could finish describing what we needed over the intercom, someone was there with just one of the needed keys. We had to wait for him to go back for the other two keys, and by the time he got back, we had spotted something in yet another showcase. We tried to catch him over the intercom, but he was just too fast. Those people get their exercise....

Check out their blog: http://greatercolumbusantiquemall.blogspot.com/


2. The Factory Antique Mall, Verona VA
Over 90,000 square feet of stuff. We tried, and failed, to do this mall at a quickstep in 90 minutes. One entire zone went unexplored, but alas, even antique mall employees should get to close up shop and go home every now and then.

Their website: http://www.factoryantiquemall.com/Browse-the-FAM.html

3. Ingrid's Antique Mall, Santee SC
Located at the Santee Outlets, a mostly-dead outlet mall with fewer than 10 shops still open. Ingrid's was hopping, though, and we had to closely monitor our competition so that we didn't miss out on some fine merchandise. Willing to negotiate, and very nice about it. I got 2 pieces of Rookwood for less than $100, and some giant nesting dolls, which bring me joy every time I look at them.

4.South Charleston Antique Mall, Charleston WV
The people here were very nice, and we found some fantastic deals. Best find: a vintage blue spun acrylic light fixture for...well, perhaps I'd better not say. I will say that we spent less on the light fixture than we did filling up the gas tank on our way out of town.

Go!: http://southcharlestonantiquemall.com/

5. Medina Antique Mall, Medina OH
Huge. They regulate their merchandise--items on the main floor have to be at least 40 years old, and there is a separate wing for stuff in need of TLC. They do not take offers. Do not ask for a discount. It makes them unhappy. But, we found some great things, most notably, two framed pinups and some great vintage clothing.

Go!:http://medina.antiquelandusa.com/default.aspx/MenuItemID/508/MenuGroup/Medina.htm

6. 57th Street Antique Mall, Sacramento CA
Part of "Antique Row", where you can park once, eat at Evan's Kitchen (fabulous!), and shop all day. Pure California bliss....

7. Stuff SF, San Francisco CA
I still get palpitations when I remember strolling across San Francisco on a sunny day, not even looking for a junk shop, and then--there it was! I spent several serious moments mentally calculating shipping costs, extra baggage fees, and whether or not an ice bucket would fit into my carry-on, before settling on some unframed pinups. But oh, the memories!

Check out their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stuff-SF/192817254063217

8. Pages Past, Kingston NY
My favorite used bookstore ever. The proprietor makes good conversation, but not too much--I love a guy who knows when to leave me alone with the books. Bonus--it is an easy walk to Stella's Italian Restaurant, quite possibly our favorite Italian restaurant (outside of Italy, of course). Books and carbs and cheese!!!!

9. Nostalgia, Knoxville TN
Already mentioned in our previous post about the Tennessee trip. Fabulous!

Go!: http://www.nostalgiamarket.com/

10. Old Raggedy Ann Antiques, Etlan VA
We found this shop while taking the scenic route on a snowy morning as we meandered toward Pennsylvania. It was the first shop we had seen (the first sign of people, actually), so we figured that it was a good place to stop, stretch our legs, and get a mini junk buzz. It turned out to be one of our top stops from that entire trip. Plus, the area is gorgeous.

Go!: http://oldraggedyannantiques.com/

The Skinny -- We're Thankful...

Image by Anne Taintor, Inc.

We love a holiday.  Any holiday.  As long as we get to celebrate by eating good food, and decorate with cool vintage finds, we are happy as can be.  But Thanksgiving holds a special place in our hearts -- from family drama (um, please don't mention that thing to so-and-so...) to dessert smorgasbords (hello, I need carrot cake!) to turkey sandwiches the day after (must be white bread, with mayo and pepper), we love it all.  At the heart of it, we're both of us very strongly rooted in our family traditions.  We have large families, and though they have shifted and changed through the years, there are certain things that are steadfast and unchangeable.  And for that -- we are thankful.

So, as we all get ready to gorge ourselves on our holiday feasts, we Blackbird girls thought we would share a few interesting facts about the holiday known for ginormous turkeys and pumpkin pies.  You may be surprised about what you will learn...

Screen print by McCaffrey, 1954

 

• The idea of Thanksgiving as we know it comes from a woman named Sarah Josepha Hale. Hale was editor of Godey's Lady's Book and penned the "Mary Had a Little Lamb" nursery rhyme. She spent 40 years writing letters to anyone who would listen, fighting for a national, once-yearly Thanksgiving holiday. Especially during the years culminating in the Civil War, she saw the holiday as a way to unite the nation.

• On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln finally listened to her and issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation that declared the last Thursday in November to be a day of "thanksgiving and praise." For the first time, Thanksgiving became a national, annual holiday with a specific date.

• In 1939, Thanksgiving was going to fall on November 30. Retailers complained to President Franklin Roosevelt that this date cramped their sales by only leaving 24 shopping days until Christmas. They pleaded with him to push Thanksgiving up a week earlier. When FDR declared his Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1939, as had become the tradition of presidents, he announced the date of Thanksgiving to be Thursday, November 23 -- the second-to-last Thursday of the month.

• Whereas President Lincoln had started the Thanksgiving holiday as a way to unite our country, this date change tore us apart. Confusion and anger ensued, and sales didn't really change that much for the better.  So, on December 26, 1941, Congress passed a law that stated that Thanksgiving would forever be on the fourth Thursday of November. 

• In 1953, Swanson started creating T.V. dinners because it needed to find something to do with the leftover frozen Thanksgiving turkeys.  Put it in a frozen meal package!

• Green been casserole was created over 50 years ago by Campbell's soup for it's newest cookbook.  Now, Campbell's sells around $20 million worth of cream of mushroom soup, most likely for people to make the casserole.  

• The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was in 1924, and included 400 employees marching off from Convent Avenue and 145th Street in New York City. They borrowed live animals from the Central Park Zoo to walk in the parade with them.

 Have a Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll!!

*Info from http://history1900s.about.com/od/1930s/a/thanksgiving.htm and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/21/thanksgiving-trivia-facts_n_1106005.html#s489085&title=What_Is_The 

On the Radar -- Honeycomb

Colored honeycomb from France.*

Nature is the eternal inspiration for design.  Almost everything we, as humans, make, somehow references the perfection of nature's design.  Bees are so incredibly interesting, from their little monarchies to their honeymaking.  The photo above is not really a good thing -- bees in this area of France have been making this colored honey because they are gathering residue from M&Ms containers in a waste facility nearby.  The resulting honey is unsellable for the beekeepers, and it's not good for the bees.  Even so, this is nature and man designing together somehow, creating beauty that is so complex, yet so elemental.

Bees and honeycomb patterns can be traditional, or they can be translated into modern items.  Forever popular, this is not really a trend, per se, but rather some new takes on an old design. What's old is new again, right?

This is the first image that caught my eye -- honeycomb in copper lacquer:

Tom Dixon, from Elle Decor Nov 2012

And here's the next one, two pages later in my Elle Decor.  I immediately said, "Oooooooohhh..."

Arteriors Pendant Lights

Art installation by Aleksandra Zee:

aleksandrazee.com

My shameless inclusion of Alexander McQueen**, with the 2013 line, inspired by bees and beekeeping:

And finally, just to prove our point that vintage is just as relevant, here's some lovely glasses from Etsy:

From Sweet Potato Jack on Etsy

*Photo from blogs.voanews.com. 
**We're going to have something McQueen in the blog about 95% of the time.  We LOVE him and his line, if you can't tell already... And his work (as does his successor's, Sarah Burton's) always inspires us.

Junk Love Monday: The Little Ten

Last week, we shared our favorite large antique malls in North Carolina. This week, we dish on our top ten smaller antique and vintage shops in our home state. Once again, in no particular order, here are our favorite smaller destinations for a junk fix:

1. Deja Vu, Asheboro NC
Run by two of our favorite antique dealers, Carol & Ernie Pollard, this shop has a perfectly cultivated selection of cool and chic. You can find a cowhide chair, a 6' high mirror, and French lithographs alongside rugged outdoor furniture and vintage signs. Plus, there is a bakery right next door!

2. Beggars & Choosers, Pittsboro NC
Great for Mid-Century lovers. This shop also has a bargain basement, as well as vintage clothing and jewelry upstairs. Plus, it's right up the street from the legendary S&T Soda Shoppe, where you can get a Cherry Smash and a sandwich for lunch.

3. Black Dog Emporium, Lexington NC
This shop is on Main Street. It is small, but has some great dealers who specialize in a wide range of items. You can find vintage medicine bottles, old radios, books, a little bit of clothing, and some great housewares. There is a great ice cream shop on the adjacent corner.

Here is their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Dog-Emporium/208472819166830

4. Heirlooms Antiques & Decor, Asheville NC
This is in Biltmore Village, and the people are so nice. We like to go to the BBQ place nearby, hit this shop right after lunch, and then move on to one of the larger Asheville malls that is just a few miles down the road.

5. The Old Hardware Antiques, Cameron NC
This is a small multi-dealer antique mall, and the historic Dewberry Deli is downstairs. Apparently, we like shops that are close to food, especially if there is ice cream and/or cookies involved....

6. This Old House Antiques, Cameron NC
This shop is a feast for the eyes. It is small, but packed to the gills with stuff. We showed up 15 minutes before closing, and still ended up with three boxes of junk. Plus, it's right down the street from the Dewberry Deli....

7. Hong Kong Vintage, Charlotte NC
Another Mid-Century mecca, with an emphasis on vintage clothing. In a very cool neighborhood, with a very nice website. We didn't look for ice cream this time, but there probably is some. Our radar for sugar is top notch.
Go!: http://www.hongkongvintage.com/contact

8. Design Archives, Greensboro NC
This place is part vintage, part art shop. You can browse booths of 1950s cocktail ware, followed by displays of local art, and they have an entire wing of vintage clothing. Cheesecake is to be had right across the street! Mmmmm....

9. Black Mountain Books, Black Mountain NC
My favorite used bookstore. I could spend hours here. Plus, it's a great place to get custom library stools. There used to be an ice cream shop across the street, but it closed. However, there is a chocolate shop! Book shopping makes truffles taste even better. Trust me.

10. Timeless Treasures, Southport NC
Lots of interesting items, and surprisingly, not too beach-oriented. There are several other small shops nearby, but these are a little more specialized (especially vintage quilts). And (drumroll, please), you can eat at the Pharmacy Restaurant a few doors down!

Go where we go! Keep them in business! Plus, we can almost guarantee a sugar high at some point during your trip.

The Skinny: The Fairer Sex Goes to War

"Rosie the Riveter" is one of the most recognizable images from the WWII era, symbolizing the essential role of women in industry while their men were away at war. A Google search will get you dozens of images of grease-smeared women with drills, welding torches, and heavy machinery, working long hours to build the implements of war and hold our country together. But, people sometimes forget the women who held it together in the war--the WACs, WAVEs, and other groups of women volunteers who got dirty, in a thousand other ways, so that combat soldiers could actually engage in combat. We tend to think of them in a cute South Pacific, pin-up sort of way (washing that man right out of their hair), but they deserve to be recognized for their contribution to freedom.

 The idea of women as support staff pre-dates World War II. There have been field nurses for much longer than that (remember Florence Nightingale?). In addition to the thousands of nurses who signed up, women volunteers drove ambulances in World War I, a task which may seem low-risk and of no great importance. But think about it--the ambulances had to go where the wounded soldiers were. And the wounded soldiers were on the battlefield. Sometimes, retrieving the wounded meant bullet holes in your ambulance. 

Hello Girls

The Hello Girls, also known as the Signal Corps Women, were sworn into the Army to serve as multilingual telephone operators for essential communications. Sadly, they were demoted after the war, so that they would not qualify for veterans benefits. And we're not even going to delve into the vast numbers of women who managed to actually serve, and die, in combat. (Most military organizations like to pretend that never happened.) In World War II, the demand for military nurses was so high that FDR tried to initiate a draft for females. It stalled, however, and the draft idea disappeared by the end of the war.

In 1942, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) introduced females into the US Army to serve as support and communications staff at designated sites to monitor for potential attacks on US soil. They were sworn in, trained, and given uniforms like every other soldier. The group started with 6,000 women, and after the initial trial run, the Army requested another 500,000. They didn't get their wish, because certain commanders, including General Eisenhower, were opposed to the idea of women in the military. (He quickly changed his mind, after seeing the results of their service, and became one of the greatest supporters of the group for the last few years of the war.) By 1943, the corps had gained enough of a reputation for the "auxiliary" term to be dropped, leaving them officially designated as the Women's Army Corps. Now, the women were no longer civilians, but active members of the United States military. They were more commonly called WACs, and by 1945, there were over 32,000 of them. The WACs were represented in at least 200 specialty jobs for the military, in every operational zone of the war. There were even 1,100 black women who enlisted and served in segregated units.


Also in 1942, two units of qualified female pilots, enlisting as civilian volunteers, were created. The Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) transported bomber and fighter planes to combat zones. The Women's Flying Training Detachment received additional flight training, so that the women pilots could take over non-combat flying duties for male pilots, thereby freeing up more male pilots for battle. In August of 1943, the two groups were combined to form the Women's Airforce Service Pilots. In addition to plane transport, the WASPs also served as instructors for the Eastern Flying Training Command. The group was disbanded in late 1944, and again, the female pilots would not be able to claim privileges as veterans.

WASP training

1942 was, apparently, an important year for women's service. Mildred McAfee, the first female commissioned  officer in the US Navy, was sworn in as Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander and put in charge of a new group of women: Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, also known as the WAVES. This was not a novel idea. In fact, the US Navy utilized female civilian volunteers during WWI as well, but this time around, the training was more detailed and the job descriptions more complex. And the numbers were huge--women flocked to volunteer for service, especially since the navy had, oddly enough, traditionally been more supportive of women than certain other branches of the military. Within the first year, there were 27,000 WAVES. Clerical jobs were, of course, the majority (but imagine coordinating millions of soldiers and commanders without people to transfer messages, answer the phones, and organize paperwork). This time around, however, some new duties were added for the enlisted women: aviation, legal, medical, intelligence, scientific research, and technology labs. communications, intelligence, science and technology. By the time the war ended, 2.5% of navy personnel were women, many of them officers.

 The Coast Guard joined suit, forming the SPARs in 1942. These women enlisted in the Coast Guard so that the men could then be dispatched overseas for combat. Many of these were WAVES who agreed to an official discharge from the NAVY. They were restricted to coastal waters of the US, and were forbidden to ever issue an order to a male, but were, essentially, filling many of the regular duties of the US Coast Guard. There were also women in the United Service Organization (USO), the American Red Cross, and the Civil Air Patrol. And, somewhat surprisingly, the United States Marines welcomed women into service. With WACs, WAVES, SPARs, and WASPS, everyone expected a clever acronym from the Marines, who are infamous for their sense of humor (ha!). Instead, the Commandant said in an interview for Life magazine, "They are Marines. They don't have a nickname and they don't need one. They get their basic training in a Marine atmosphere at a Marine post. They inherit the traditions of Marines. They are Marines."

Shooting range practice at SPARS academy

 All told, over 400,000 women served with the US Military during World War II. During the war, many of them won Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars, and other awards for service. Many of them died alongside their male colleagues. Most of them were discharged as soon as the conflict ended, and sent back home to be wives and mothers (like much of the female industrial workforce). Decades later, legislation allowed some of them to receive Veterans status, and the appropriate benefits and privileges. This Veterans Day, as you think of the people who have served, and are serving, our country, consider the women who worked hard to preserve our freedom decades ago, who were underestimated and unrecognized for the majority of their lifetimes.

Elizabeth L. Gardner, WASP

*Information obtained from: http://womenofwwii.com/coastguardspars.html; http://www.uscg.mil/history/WomenIndex.asp; http://www.uscg.mil/history/WomenIndex.asp; http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/prs-tpic/females/wave-ww2.htm; http://www.malvernmemorialparade.com/2010_wacs-waves.htm; http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/womenww1_one.htm

On the Radar -- Supersized

Philip Treacy, Spring 2013

We're going to go a bit fantasy today with the trend post.  Designers got a teensy bit crazy for Spring 2013 when it came to scale and size...well, actually, they got BIG crazy.  An oversized and overscaled kind of crazy. I don't think any of these things can be used in real life, but they are fun to look at, aren't they?

Where do you put this purse when you go to eat in a restaurant?  Can you imagine trying to find your keys in it?

Chanel, Spring 2013

Don't these earrings give you a headache?  I get one just from looking at them...

Diane Von Furstenberg, Spring 2013

There's something appealing about these glasses.  Of course, if I was a model, they would look good on me, too...

Nicholas K Eyewear, Spring 2013

Here's a way to incorporate the trend into your wardrobe, but I feel like it looks really un-tailored:

Dries van Noten, Spring 2013

Junk Love Monday: The Big Ten

This week, we have decided to spill some secrets. When the Blackbird girls need a big junk fix, certain antique malls sing sweetly to us across the miles. We, of course, willingly answer the call, even if it involves hours of travel. It certainly helps that we are pretty centrally located, so beach and mountain shops are never out of the question. And, we have certainly scoured the state for those premier antique shopping experiences. So, here are our top 10 favorite antique malls in North Carolina. (We will later post our list for smaller shops, and out-of-state gems.) In no particular order, we introduce:

1. Screen Door, Asheville NC
      We love this store. It is a fairly recent find, and it pops up in conversation regularly. It is well-curated, with a lot of industrial, distressed, and elegantly re-purposed items, as well as great architectural pieces, antiques, and collectibles.
Visit their website: http://www.screendoorasheville.com/pages/faq.php

2. Oddfellows Antiques, Asheville NC
     Another favorite in the Asheville area. It has around 16,000 sq. feet of antiques, with a lot of furniture, stained glass, architectural items,  and things with a certain interesting "look." You can easily find a beaver top hat, 1930s trophies, leather books, or old store signage.
Go!: http://oddfellowsasheville.com/

3. Bryant Antiques, Asheville NC
     We drop a lot of dough at this place. There are a lot of dealers that cater to our wide list of collections, and the prices are reasonable. I once bought a large (around 20"x30") vintage pinup for $75--a steal, as it was in mint condition, and looks fantastic hanging in my house. Also, it is right beside Oddfellows, so we can park once and spend the whole day buying junk!
Their website is here: http://bryantantiquesbiltmore.com/

4. Sweeten Creek Antique Mall, Asheville NC
     This is another fairly recent discovery, and it is huge. The prices are great, also. We still lament that perfect little mid-century hutch--only $100, but not possible to fit in a Yaris! Le sigh....
Go!: http://www.sweetencreekantiques.com/

5. The Depot at Gibson Mill, Concord NC
      Very huge. The building used to be a functional mill, and has been upgraded with heat/air conditioning (important!). There is a large section geared toward decorators, with new upholstered furniture, fountains, fabric, etc. But, there is also a lot of square footage devoted to traditional antique vendors. We always find great things here, but plan on many hours of shopping to see it all.
Their website: http://depotgibsonmill.com/

6. Collector's Antique Mall, Asheboro NC
      We admit to some bias, because we both work here. However, we've both been customers for longer than that (and usually spend a fair share of our paychecks here). It is 35,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles, and tends to be on the regular migratory path of antique buyers from all over the South. Their website stinks, but here is the Facebook page:
Go!:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Collectors-Antique-Mall/321877306363

7. Antique Market Place, Greensboro NC
      This one is right off of I-40 West, and well worth a full afternoon. You can find anything from Victorian to Mid-Century, and there is a lot that is just neat to look at.
Their website is here: http://www.triadantiques.com/

8. Sleepy Poet, Charlotte NC
      They have a great vintage clothing section, a huge selection of vintage vinyl, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
Go!: http://sleepypoetstuff.com/

9. Sanford Antique Mall, Sanford NC
      My favorite purchase from here: a vintage cardboard movie advertisement (18"x24") for $45. They also have great kitchen collectibles, and a large selection of books.
Their website: http://sanfordantiquemall.com/

10. Smokey Park Antique Mall, Candler NC
     It's sort of in the middle of nowhere, but it's only 15 minutes past Asheville. Our favorite thing about this shop is that we always see versions of things that we've never seen before, if that makes sense. An example: we see a lot of vintage Santas here and there, but this place has a whole showcase of Santas that we've never seen in person at another shop, only in reference books. They are also good about calling dealers with offers on items. Just don't believe them if they tell you that they'll be open on Easter. Lies, I tell you!
Go!: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smokey-Park-Antique-Mall/158177827547843

and, okay, we had to add another one:
11. The Salisbury Emporium, Salisbury NC
     In the historic Frick Building, right beside the old train station. The staff is very nice, the selection is great, and if you ever wanted anything to do with Cheerwine, this is the place for you. (Cheerwine comes from Salisbury!)
Go!: http://www.salisburyemporium.com/

Go and shop! The only way we get to enjoy our favorite places is if they stay in business!