With summer finally here, Gretchen asked to see my collection of vintage beach items. This one is timely for me as once the Fourth of July is over, I put out a few beach themed items....you know shells, sand buckets and the like. This is what I have in my vintage stash.
A huge vintage paper mache anchor. Someday it will decorate my beach house and be gussied up a bit. It is huge - about 25 inches tall.
Shell match container inscribed with "Matches - Long Beach, Washington".
Seashore inspired playing cards.
Loving the seahorses on this mini deck of them.
One crazy vintage figure of a native under a pipe cleaner palm tree.
I like this piece as the bottom has written where it was found and the date - Butte, Montana. August 1955. Not exactly a beachy location.
I found a pair of shell shaped vases a few years ago. I saw some seashell flowers in an antique store and knew that I could make something similar to go along with my seaside theme.
I love Japanese floats and these are smaller ones found on the beach. The bottle was found on the bottom of the ocean in one of my aunt's undersea dives near the island of Kwajalein.
These tiny flip flops are rock hard and were found in the basement of an old pharmacy here in town. They are old store stock. I love their tiny size and color.
I am not taking up a new hobby, but love this book for throwing on the coffee table to continue the beach theme.
Old sandbucket with great graphics. It was found in the garage at an estate sale full of nails and screws.
Sandshovel collection. Rather worn, but great shapes.
Toot Toot ship with a seagull flying overhead
Ohio art shovel in fairly good shape.
All this talk of the seashore also got me inspired in the studio to come up with my annual group of mermaid gals.
The mermaids and some other new categories of fun gals will be showing up on Etsy on Monday the 11th. I will have a couple more posts with my new creations between now and the then.
If you have a suggestion for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of ____". I love seeing what you guys come up with.
Oh I love all your vintage beach treasures..those flipflops are adorable along with your pails and shovels. xoxox happy sunny day to you.
Posted by: koralee | July 05, 2011 at 07:33 AM
I've enjoyed my patriotic decor so much, but now you've inspired me to start pulling out my beachy items. Your sandpail shovel collection is outstanding. Your mermaids are absolutely darling. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | July 05, 2011 at 07:40 AM
I have a ton of those old floats, but mine were all thrifted. Did you find yours on the beach yourself? I would die to find one! My dream is to go seaglass hunting someday. Not a lot of ocean front property in Arkansas though......... I looked for seaglass in Hawaii, but never found a thing because the hotels sweep the beach at sunrise. Love all your fun stuff!
Posted by: Shara | July 05, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Oh my! I think those little mermaids are some of your cutest work yet - so whimsical - *love* them!!
I've never seen seashell flowers like yours before - you really have the eye for finding interesting pieces to work with. :-)
Posted by: Into Vintage | July 05, 2011 at 08:58 AM
The two floats were found by my aunt on the beach. We did find a giant one when I was a kid (think bigger than globe size). We were driving on the beach in Washington on a stormy day (you used to be able to drive on the beach). It was the five of us in my family and my grandparents in the car. I was probably about five. My grandmother spotted what she thought was an oil drum near the edge of the surf We drove closer to investigate and she shouted "Its a Japanese float!". I was on the window side of the back seat and we were scrambling out to get it before the surf took it away. I was practically tossed out of the car in the frenzy to grab the float! We were successful and my parents have the float still. It is an awesome greeny blue and has sea water inside that sloshes about. A good childhood memory.
Posted by: Magpie Ethel | July 05, 2011 at 10:49 AM
So here's what I am thinking...I would like to be signed up for the Magpie Ethel direct shipment plan. Like the fruit of the month club. My mermaid from last year, Shelly, is one of my favorites...Your beach finds are amazing as usual. Love that anchor...keep dreaming and you will get that house! Smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | July 05, 2011 at 06:21 PM
I so admire the way you decorate for the seasons and the holidays. I just never seem to find the time for that. I have a beach theme on my patio year around and I use my glass floats as "bubbles" in my fishpond. Those stinker racoons keep moving them up into the waterfall - LOL!
Posted by: Kathy | July 05, 2011 at 10:14 PM
The ballarina in the swan looks a float in a parade!!! Just needs some teeny tiny wheels underneath!
Posted by: Gloria | July 06, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Hi Laurie,
I love your beach/seashore collection!! Your little mermaids
are adorable and the little flip
flops are very cute! I always
admire the vintage beach pails
and shovels. The graphics are
always wonderful. : )
Hugs,
Janis
Posted by: Janis | July 08, 2011 at 07:31 PM
We're expecting our 'first' grandchild, in December.
Have you ever created a baby collection?
Would love to put one of your creations in her/his nursery.
((hugs))
Tina
www.cherryhillcottage.typepad.com
Posted by: Tina | July 09, 2011 at 06:13 AM
Laurie~ In honour of your new 'category', I think it only fitting that you show us your collection of MERMAIDS!! You MUST have acquired some over the years ;-)!!
Posted by: Sue | July 10, 2011 at 03:25 AM
Laurie,
I have just been looking at all your collections, a favorite way of mine to spend some time, and was wondering if you have ever shown your collection of vintage eyeglasses? Would be great to see, pun intended ;)
Posted by: Marci | July 15, 2011 at 02:33 AM