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FRIDAY MUSINGS: IT’S A VINTAGE GARDEN PARTY

May 24, 2019June 17, 2022nenasnotesLeave a comment

By now you know I look forward to the end of each month when the Randolph Street Market appears on my calendar and I must admit the May Market, (which begins the outdoor season, though September), is my favorite month of all (please don’t tell the other months they will be jealous!). It not only gives us the feeling that Summer is almost with us but also dramatically enlarges RSM, of course, the chock a block three floors of Plumbers Hall are with us year round. Celebrating its Sweet Sixteen year the outdoor season kicks off with a vintage garden party, not only will you find the most amazing vintage one of a kind treasures, but you can eat and drink to your hearts content while listening to music all day (the Market is open from 9 to 5 each day), great people watching and you can shop, shop, shop…that is the point my dears! This May you can also get gardening tips, plants and supplies whether you are a seasoned gardener or a novice. As with all the dealers, be sure to engage them in conversation to learn more about collecting, styling yourself and your home and now your garden. Looking to expand your collections from books to mirrors to paintings, to furniture, to refurbished bikes to artisan crafts to jewelry and clothing for women and men (there is Father’s Day to think about!!) and items you didn’t even know you needed or wanted….look no further it is all at RSM. By the way, do you know I do two monthly posts, totally different from this blog, on the RSM’s blog…one on collectibles and one on fashion…be sure to check them out, this month I featured Lady Head Vases and Trench Coats. If we are all into sustainability and recycling, and we should be, we need to think VINTAGE!!!

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Now I wanted to share the dynamic RSM newsletter with you…it will give you many more details and was impossible to replicate so I am giving you the link. By the way this is not a paid endorsement just information I want to share with you dear readers so you can enjoy the Market as much as I do. It is there rain or shine and you will enjoy a day out in our wonderful Chicago! Happy hunting!

Randolph Street Market May Event

BB73D3B5-218F-44A8-9AAA-15DB0B229886 Our inspiration, Sally Schwartz, Founder of Randolph Street Market.

COLLECTIONS: AMBER

January 25, 2018August 23, 2022nenasnotes6 Comments

Raw amber

I have always been a huge fan of Amber jewelry I guess it is in my DNA…unfortunatly I only have one piece from my Father’s mother, the only thing I have of her and I never met any of my grandparents, so naturally, I treasure it. I’ll show it to you in the post.

These three photos show you some versions of raw amber some polished a bit some just the raw stones. Amber is fossilized tree resin and has been prized through the ages. It is found primarily in the Baltic countries but is seen elsewhere in the world. You can find many sites on Google. Today’s post is primarily on jewelry and one spectacular room and, of course, a couple of books for good measure!

All three photos from Pinterest photo credit unknown.

My friend, Barbara Varro, collected her pieces in Poland and was kind enough to bring me several pieces throughout the years. Here is her collection, I took the photos when I was visiting last summer in anticipation of this post.

The necklaces in different pairings, I would wear them all together.

Her amber ring collection on my finger……

Some of my pieces almost always worn together, some from Barbara and others collected, over the 15 years of its existence, at Randolph Street Market

Some of the pieces I collected (wish I had gotten more for myself, I did get more pieces as gifts) on my fantastic trip to Russia in 2002. I promise I will do a post on the trip when I can find my photos. The top piece is lightly polished raw amber, love it, the center piece is white amber and the bottom piece is polished and probably Victorian…got that one at an antique fair in Moscow (which, by the way, was amazing!) I usually wear these as a grouping. A Nena’s Note…each morning in Moscow we would go to a different specialty shop, one of which was all amber….extraordinary. Each day and this was early morning for shopping, say 8ish, we were greeted by trays of small shot glasses of ice-cold vodka…8 AM…I don’t drink vodka, I know, you are saying isn’t she of Russian heritage, and yes she is! But I don’t drink vodka, certainly not neat and at 8 AM! Well, guess what I had to shoot the offered nectar or I would be offending our hosts, I most certainly didn’t want to cause an International incident! Still, don’t like vodka!

My faceted collection, the top piece is my Grandmother’s piece, the middle is multi-colored from St. Petersburg and the bottom piece one of my Randolph Street Market finds. I usually wear them together.

I have had a difficult time trying to find earrings that don’t have silver mountings…I do have one pair again from RSM that is multicolor dropped stones and a pair of hoops that go with my amber but are faux! Here are a couple of earrings that I would love to have.

Aren’t they stunning!!!!

Here is a necklace I would love as well, wouldn’t you…..The three photos are from Pinterest photo credit unknown.

A necklace from the talented hands of Margaret Buckman

Information from Margaret (who was one of my first profiles, go to my archives to learn all about this talented lady!) “This piece is natural shaped beads of Tibetan amber, inset with turquoise mosaics and coral pieces. Each side of the bead has a Chinese coin silver zodiac character, the entire bead is inlaid with silver and inset with biwa pearls.”

Made especially for me by Margaret Buckman several years ago, it includes many of my broken necklaces pieces along with some from the designer. It is a huge statement piece and I wear it often usually with my embroidered jacket from my Moscow trip. It is one of my most favorite necklaces.

Now on to an amazing treasure, The Amber Room in Catherine’s Palace outside of St. Petersburg. It was just being reconstructed when I was there. The Room had been “lost” during World War II and there are many stories of what happened to it. Most of the stories said the keepers of the Palace removed the pieces and hid them from capture from the invading Nazi’s.

Isn’t it glorious….when I find my Russian trip photos I’ll show you it being restored. Photos from Pinterest photo credit unknown.

I have suggested two books for you, one non-fiction and one fiction, both exciting tales. This is the book that got me into reading Steve Berry, one of my favorite authors.

COLLECTIONS: RANDOLPH STREET MARKET — BICYCLES AND PICNICS

May 18, 2017August 23, 2022nenasnotes2 Comments

A vintage card (you can find lots at Randolph Street Market) with old fashion bicycles.

I am so excited to share the information on this season’s first outside/inside Randolph Street Market http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com that will occur on Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28 from 10 to 5 and I thought it was the perfect time to think about all the wonderful picnics we can have this summer and what better way to get to them or travel around when we find the perfect location than on a restored Schwinn bicycle! Well, lucky us we have just the thing at RSM (of course, we do!!!!) Mike’s Bikes returns for the 11th season.

Looks like a perfect day for a picnic. Not only can you find the right bicycle but you can find all the “fixings” for your picnic as well at RSM. All you need is a beautiful setting, some yummy food (yes, you can also get some goodies at the Market!) and good friends. Chicago and all the suburbs have wonderful spots to picnic, or go to Ravinia for one of the fabulous concerts, Harbor Country or neighboring Wisconsin for all their summer events…you can picnic every weekend through October.

Basically, the first thing you see when you arrive at the Randolph Street entrance to RSM is Mike’s Bikes. Mike is an encyclopedia on the history of Schwinn bicycles, by the way, the company was founded in Chicago in 1895. He only restores vintage Schwinn and each is totally unique and Mike wants to pair his bikes with the perfect person and lovingly takes the time to talk to each client and explains every detail of each bicycle. I have seen many a happy smile on the new owner’s faces when they leave with a treasure, either to relive their youth and/or form new memories for themselves or their families, it is wonderful to experience their pure joy!

Michael Mitchell has shared his passion with me and I now share it with you in his words.

“I have been selling vintage Chicago manufactured Schwinn bicycles at Randolph (May-Sept.) for ten years and I have enjoyed every moment. Along the way, I have met so many interesting people who share the love for these bikes. The bikes make their eyes light up and they begin by reminiscing and sharing childhood experiences of riding bikes with family and friends.

The complete process of reconditioning the average vintage lightweight Schwinn takes approximately ten hours. The process of reconditioning a bike begins with:

1. All bearings cleaned and greased.

2. Worn parts are replaced ( brake pads, brake and gear cables, and ball bearings.

3. Replacement of tires and inner tubes ( if needed)

4. Paint cleaned, polished and waxed.

5. All chrome polished.

At the end of the reconditioning process, the bike is like brand new. If needed, the spokes are replaced and the wheels are trued. And to top it off, all replacement of parts are made with original Schwinn parts.

I recondition 1960’s – 70’s Schwinns as well as vintage Raleighs (manufactured in Nottingham, England).

As a result of the reconditioning process, each bike is priced individually because many of them require more parts and labor.

I retired from teaching school ten years ago, but prior to that, I was reconditioning the bikes for fifteen years. I was always fascinated with the Schwinn brand since childhood. Schwinns by far were at the top of the list when it came to quality and price. As a child, my family could not afford to purchase Schwinn bicycles, but whenever I saw one, I could see the quality of the bike in its paint, chrome, constructed welds, and overall styling. At the age of fourteen, I had saved up enough money to purchase a 10-speed Schwinn Varsity; I’ve been loyal to the brand since.

The 1960’s-70’s vintage Schwinn bikes that I sell are steel framed bikes that were manufactured in Chicago. These are comfort styled vintage bicycles that were designed to provide the rider with comfort seats and upright handlebars. The popular Schwinn models being sold are the Breeze, Racer, Speedster, Collegiate and Suburban bikes. Each bike is reasonably priced and ready to ride without any expensive repairs.”

Looks like heaven to me…you can find similar goodies like everything in these photos, maybe not the flowers, at RSM! The settings are up to you.

How about a couple of recipes for your picnic….one from me and the other from Tom Mantel’s recipe box….

FROM TOM MANTEL’S RECIPE BOX

SPINACH/MUSHROOM QUICHE

Ingredients:

8 oz mushrooms sliced

10 oz fresh spinach

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup Swiss cheese

1/2 cup fontina cheese

4 eggs

2 cups half and half

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 pastry crust

Method:

Sauté onions and mushrooms until tender.

Add spinach and a couple tsp of water and cover.

Cook stirring frequently until spinach is wilted, let cool a little.

Place pastry crust (can be homemade or store bought) in Quiche plate or a deep dish pie plate.

Distribute cheese over pastry.

Distribute mushroom onion mix over cheese.

Beat eggs, half and half, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper until blended but not frothy.

Pour egg mixture over the spinach cheese mixture.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.

Let cooL before cutting

Can be served warm or room temperature.

Nena’s note, I have had this and it is amazingly delicious!

FROM NENA’S RECIPE BOX

DEVILED EGGS

This is just a what I put in my deviled eggs and it’s really not a recipe…you have to do it to taste…sorry!

Remove the yolks from the hard boiled eggs mash with Durkee’s Dressing (a little goes a long way, you can find it with mustards in your grocery store), Miracle Whip (my mayo), salt, freshly ground pepper and a dash of sugar until smooth (no lumps allowed!) either spoon into whites or if you want to be fancy, use a pastry bag with a fine tip and pipe into whites. You can add a herb sprig to the top or if it is a very special picnic a dollop of red caviar, why not! Obviously, the amounts depend upon how many eggs you are doing. They go like hot cakes so be sure to make enough.

All images from Pinterest photo credits not available.

Mike’s contact information:

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/mikesclassicbikes

Web Page: www.mikesclassicbikes.com

COLLECTIONS: OPALINE

April 27, 2017August 23, 2022nenasnotes2 Comments

One of my treasures given to me by Mark and Linda Heister a vintage gilded green opaline piece with lusters. I sometimes put a pillar candle inside. It is one of a pair and they flank the mantle of the “malachite” fireplace Mark created for me.

A disclaimer before I even begin….you by now know I like to take my own photos for my posts and I am usually pleased with them. Today is an exception…no apologies just fact, they aren’t my best work. You see, as I have told you many times, I live in a very small space and each and every surface is covered with collections, books, etc. therefore it is often difficult to stage and capture the exact image I want due to lighting or space limitations…please forgive me on this occasion and enjoy my collection of opaline. I appreciate your indulgence.

Actually, it was my Mother who started this collection. Again, you know blue isn’t my favorite color, I am a green girl (and yes you will see green in this post!) but my Mother, Ruth, adored anything blue and I adored her so it became a part of our home for many years. The breakfront I have featured in the past was filled (jammed) with her Bristol blue collection which she had acquired over many years. One night I came home from work and found the cupboard with a totally different look…she had sold the entire (almost) collection! Needless to say, I was totally startled and asked why…her answer, it was time for a change. Understand Ruth would constantly rearrange our home on a regular basis, sometimes weekly, so this wasn’t an unusual occurrence. I, on the other hand, loathe change. We did keep several pieces and I still have them and treasure them.

Two opaline sconces on one of the walls, this wall is on the side of my French daybed. You can see a little peek of one of my early needlepoint pieces, actually, Ruth drew the violets (her favorite flower) and I needlepointed it and framed in in an antique frame. Needlepoint with be a multi posting in the future. These sconces can be put together and form a chandelier. In my mind, I think we purchased these a zillion years ago at a Lake Forest Antique Show. They are two of my favorite things.

A close up of one of the sconces.

A companion chandelier hangs over my desk, where I write nenasnotes. The cord is covered in shirred apricot silk taffeta. You can see an oil on wood painting in a distressed ornate gilt frame which I look at each time I sit at my desk, and, of course, books that are on a vintage bamboo shelf, one of many, on my window ledge. The painting and shelf purchased at the Randolph Street Market. The April market is this Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30 from 10 to 5 http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com.  Perhaps you will find similar treasures, do come and see!

The remains of Mom’s blue collection, some opaline some milk glass most collected many, many years ago others I have recently added, these grouped together on top of one of my Chinoiserie file cabinets.

Here a great example of the multitude of shades of blue (not gray!!!) in opaline and milk glass. Both vases are handpainted and again from Randolph Street Market. The box predates RSM.

A small lid that is handpainted with forget-me-knots another favorite of the Ivon girls. The bottom long gone but I thought this was too interesting to trash.

An apricot opaline base for a tiny lamp which sits on top of books, of course, it does! I imagine it was once a vase or candle holder, probably a pair. It has always been a lamp to me. The piece to the left is a beaded handpainted fabric and barely visable behind is a portion of a heavily appliqued lace curtain, both from RSM. My home is mostly green but I have accented it with shades of apricot as well as picking up colors from my paisley shawl collection and the pastels in my vintage Chindia rugs.

A vignette of a portion of my green opaline collection. The tussie mussie holder encases an antique lace dollie and silk violets. Behind it is a collection of candle holders and the water color is from my trip to Russia. Under all a vintage handmade crazy quilt, another collection. I have a couple of full quilts as well as many remnants. All from the Randolph Street Market. Perhaps this might inspire you to mix and match your collections…as you know Victoriana is a passion of mine and the Victorians always felt more is more!!!! I most certainly agree. I think my opaline collection is what led me to start collecting Jadeite which I use as my everyday dishes and have posted an image of some of it on my kitchen shelves. You can find reams and reams of information on Jadeite, (which was cheap as chips when it was first manufactured and now commands very high prices, but you can find all manner of Jadeite at all prices at RSM), but not much on opaline, I couldn’t find a single book on the subject!!! Do let me know if you know of some.

Very unusual color for opaline, a putty, handpainted with my favorite flower, lily of the valley. The small vase is a celadon green it also handpainted with lily of the valley. Both are one of a pair. The larger pair sits on either side on top of my breakfront and the small ones are placed in front of the lusters on top of my fireplace.

Another pair, this time handpainted with beautiful English rose buds, forget me knot and lily of the valley…three of my favorite all on one vase, bonus! You can barely see the gilt dots at the base and around the top. They are on either side of the top of the drawer portion of the breakfront and hold dried tree hydrangea.

A close up of the painting…I love its three-dimensional effect. All the above vases I have gotten at the Randolph Street Market and they have been collected over the years.

Please share your comments and what you like to collect, I am thinking of doing a “contest” with the prize being a season pass to the Randolph Street Market….your thoughts!!!???