Whimsical Horse and Rider Figure by Petites Choses

This whimsical horse and rider are sure to add just that right bit of charm to your decor! With the fancy hat and big plume, plus all the medals on his uniform, he must be a general. He's certainly important, but oh so very suave. You gotta love that curly mustache, right?

The details here are fabulous. He's carrying a staff in his left hand with a bucket on top. I can't imagine what that's for.

Made by Petites Choses, USA, of various metals, embossed to add detail.

Measurements: 15 inches tall x 6-3/4 inches long x 3 inches wide

Weight: 1 lb, 6 oz. The base contains some material inside, maybe sand or pellets, to add weight. He stands up very sturdily.

The tag on the bottom says "Petites Choses USA".

http://www.etsy.com/listing/193888409/whimsical-horse-and-rider-figure-by

Old-Fashioned Curling Iron

Here's an old-style curling iron / hair crimper, like your grandma and great-grandmother used to use. It's seen a lot of use and prettied up many women, but is still in great shape. The handles are solid, the hinge opens easily, and closes tightly. The blades are still centered and fit together perfectly.

Would be a nice bit of memorabilia or a lovely addition to a vintage decor. How about as a gift for your favorite hairdresser?

Measurements:
9-1/2 inches long
2-1/2 inches wide at the handles
1/4 inch diameter at the metal tip

This is a well-used curling iron. The blades and handles are darkened from heat and from hair. It belonged to either my mom (as a young girl) or her mother, I'm not sure.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/194059054/vintage-antique-hair-curling-iron?

Beaded Delill Handbag

Pastel colored flowers cheerfully parade along the front of this absolutely beautiful handbag. The pattern is made of tiny glass beads all sewn into place across the entire bag. Even the handle is beaded!

Wouldn't this be gorgeous as a handbag for a wedding or graduation? Or even just for a special night out on the town!

I'm cleaning out some of my Mom's things, and this was in her dresser. It was given to her in the early 1960s by my grandmother.

The interior has the manufacturer's tag saying "Delill, hand made in Japan". Also inside is a label from Liebermann's in Saginaw, Michigan where my grandmother purchased it.

The bag is in excellent condition. Mom probably only used it a time or two. The silver-tone clasp works like a charm. The interior is lined with off-white satin.

The bag is about 9.5 inches at its widest point, and 5.5 inches high. The handle is about 10 inches long, just enough to slip over your wrist.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/188533598/beautiful-1960s-beaded-delill-handbag

Malachite Necklace

This is a remarkable necklace of large malachite beads, strung together with tiny seed beads between each one.

The largest beads are 12-13 mm; the smallest are about 6 mm. They are each unique, with natural designs of swirls and lines and stripes. The beads range in color, though the overall effect is of a rich dark green.

A silver-tone barrel clasp securely fastens the necklace. The beads are strung on a clear mono-filament line.

Overall length is 19.5 inches.

It's just the right size. The necklace has a good feel to it, so you know you're wearing something substantial, but it's not heavy. Easy to wear.

I bought this necklace for myself in the mid-80s when I visited New York long ago. I love it, but rarely wear it. It needs just the right forever home :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/188541243/malachite-necklace-with-graduated

Vintage Copper Scrollwork Brooch or Scarf Pin

I've been searching all over the interwebs trying to find something like this to help me understand what it is and how to write a description, but I've found nothing like it at all. It's a truly unique brooch!

It looks like a piece of pressed copper that has a warm patina on the front. I'm guessing that it was made for another purpose and that the pin backing was added later.

The detailing in the scrollwork is very fine.

It has no markings as far as I can see for the maker or age, so your guess is as good as mine!

Measures 2.5 inches long by 1.25 inches high: an easily wearable size. Lightweight and delicate but sturdy.


https://www.etsy.com/listing/188586026/vintage-copper-scrollwork-brooch-or?

Odd Little Toy

I found this odd little toy recently and wonder what it is. Anyone have ideas? I'm guessing it was part of a model train set. The wheel turns freely, moving the horizontal piece on the top back and forth.The box has a very skinny spring that's about 3 inches long. The whole thing weighs 7.6 ounces.

I'm clueless. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cranking up the eBay

I'm not quite sure how to link directly to my items on eBay - wish there was a simple URL - but hope this will do:

http://search.ebay.com/?sass=lifeneedsart&ht=-1

I'm finally - FINALLY - getting up the nerve to sort through the boxes that I brought home from Mom and Dad's. Boxes that have been packing the attic and lining the sun porch making both spaces unusable for anything else.

Stuff. Stuff. And More Stuff. sigh...

I've been hesitant to get rid of anything for fear it was too early. Too irreverent. Too disrespectful.

You know.

But at this time, my house is groaning under the weight of stuff. I feel lighter each time an old object goes off to a new home. Like I'm giving it a chance at a new life. Being trapped in a stuffy cardboard box is no way to live, even for candle sticks or canteens.

Rest assured that I'm keeping some things. I've found some memorabilia that makes me smile and is full of fondness. Those I keep.

I'm trying hard to keep just 1 or 2 items from each phase of my life - not 50. Just because I like something doesn't mean I have to keep it. Keep the things that are symbolic and sentimental and let the rest go.

So keep an eye on my eBay feed. I never know what I'll find as I open each box.