{Adventures in Shopland} Poor Ted....

I'm really tempted to put glitter on Ted now, he he. 

Which colour do you think would be cutest for his bow?

H

x

S.W.A.L.K {Vintage Valentine GIVE AWAY}

Kitsch, cute and mixed in with love to boot, for it's the season of love and what could say it more then a vintage Valentine card. 

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These highly sought after cards for their sweet illustrations with quirky sentiments makes them irresistibly cute. I've never managed to get one for my collection, so when I saw this wonderful book of reproduction press out Valentine greetings I had to snap a few up! I hope you will love it to and make a lovely edition for your collection. 

This collection, originally produced in 1945, and reproduced in 2005 with flocked red velvet effect onto the cards, it truly is a lovely collection.

Twelve pages in total, which included greetings cards and envelopes to pop out, lovely to treasure as inspiration, or for your vintage collection.

{Peek inside}

Cupid is at the ready with his bow to pick one lucky winner. 
{Give away now CLOSED}

If you would like to enter: simply be a follower of our blog, Facebook or Twitter page, all three counts as three chances to win. Please retweet this post on twitter, like & share our give away post on Facebook, or leave a blog comment for a chance to win.

Give away is open to UK residents. Closing date is Friday February 10th, on Saturday we will announce the winner in time for Valentines day.

Cupid is sending luck your way with the flapping of his little wings.

Good Luck from us to.

H

x

Monday Muse: Erté

Last night on BBC Four I watched "The Boyfriend" starring Twiggy. Fabulous 20's inspired costumes and back drops that made you want to jump through the TV to take part in the sophisticated mayhem, sadly having to settle to a bit of a bop around the living room. The film must have cost a fortune to produce in the 70's. I would love to know what became of all the costumes, and whether Twiggy was able to keep one or two.
A favourite scene is captured on the record cover for the sound track, dancers on a large gramophone record in a display a kin to synchronized swimming. (source)
The film made me think of one of my favourite Illustrator's/Artist Erté.

       Erté: A Russian-born French artist, his true name was Romain de Tirtoff, better know by the French pronunciation of his initials, R.T, the name Erté was born.
Lavish, chic, risqué, sophistication, imaginative, an undertone of dark fantasy, fabulous detail, all wrapped up in a big stylish Art Deco bow. Erté designs inspired many forms: costumes, set designs for opera, interior decor, magazine covers for Harper's Bazaar, Jewellery, you name it Erté style knew know limits. 
Working throughout his life, and living to the grand old age of 97 in France, in his own life time a 1960's revival put Erté back into the spotlight celebrating his influence upon Art Deco. His style lives on books in and posters, we have a selection of postcards in Jamboree as pictured to the right.
One book I can recommend is a Dover publication Erté Fashion Designs: 218 Illustrations from "Harper's Bazaar", 1918-32, a lovely gift from my brother some years ago, a fab source of inspiration. Check out the amazon link for a peek inside. Their are also other books available - do you know of any you could recommend?

Looking at the illustrations I also wonder if Lady GaGa is a fan - what do you think?

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One of my favourites.

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I love the above image, it's as though a cascade of glitter has been set free in celebration.

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I had never seen this image before, and simply said wow!

I was sad to see that Past Times is know more, they always stocked Erté designs on gifts etc. Used to love the Art Nouveau section to.

Are you a Erté fan?

H

x

Peg folk packs ~*Give Away*~

Wow, seems many moons ago that I posted a blog. Well, with this catch up I have the help of sweet peg folk helping me along the way to create a give away. One pack is up for grabs for 3 lovely winners, all you have to do is pop a comment on our blog, facebook or twitter, more the merrier for a chance to win. Please state if you would like a boy or girl pack. Packs may vary from contents shown. Open for UK entrants.
Perfect stocking fillers, or for crafty fans, I love to create the packs and equally love to create peg folk, hope you will to :D.
Give away ends Saturday 10th of December - winners will be announced on Sunday 11th.


Good luck x 

{Inspired - Christmas} New blog post

For the past few months I have been moon lighting as an elf, burning the midnight oil creating Christmas decorations for the shop and leaving trails of glitter and painty finger prints - oops ;). 
Theirs nothing we love more then vintage & kitschy Christmas decorations and graphics, notably a big influence upon our Christmas range. I really do hope you will love it, I'm still undecided about a batch of felt birds I have created, very kitschy - maybe I can post and you can tell me what you think?. 
Rustled up the above montage, proving hard not to get carried away with so many wonderfully influencing, inspirational and generally adored vintage and kitschy ideas whirling around. 


Which is your favourite inspiration for Christmas? Shabby chic, vintage, kitsch, retro, traditional or contemporary? 


I was hoping to introduce our Christmas goodies this week, but realistically it will be next week pinkies crossed - shall keep you posted.


H
x

The Evolution Of Women’s Hair, In Under 4 Minutes {new blog post}

An interesting video I wanted to share, we love a bit of period design - we know you do to ;).  Although the video has already come under some flack for not featuring short hair, I think it's like most history, It's to give a representation of the period/decade, surely couldn't be possible to feature every detail. Not to mention how painstakingly long this must have taken to create. 

Although I do agree that at the 70's section it seems to jump to the 1960's and then to the 80's.

But see if you can see the model nearly laugh at 0.36 mins-ish.

We seem quite tame now don't we? unless your lady GaGa of course.

What do you think of the video?

Kawaii sweetness {New blog post}

Well today was a treat - discovering a new, and now favourite shop in Newcastle - HiYou Oriental food emporium, situated across from St.Andrews church, and part of the new Eldon Square complex. I couldn't get over the road quick enough, I hoped with pinkies crossed that kawaii/cute packaged goodies would be in store and I wasn't disappointed, utterly delighted to be exact :D. This is my stash I bought today - tempted already by the banana chocolate Pocky - so scrummy as the flavouring is just like banana milkshake. 

Their is also another cute shop just around the corner from St.Andrews who stocks more items decorated with cuteness. 

I have to confess I am a colour junkie, I think this is apart of the appeal of the above goodies, but also just how cute and inventive the characters on the packaging can be. The love of what is described in Japanese as Kawaii - kawaisa (可愛さ^?) (literally, "lovability", "cuteness" or "adorableness") started many years ago, collecting cute stationery mainly - such favourites as:

Nyan Nyan Nyanko from San-X

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Hello Kitty and Co from Sanrio

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and many more.

Do you love kawaii to? which are your favourite characters? 

I really wanted to have cute kawaii goodies in store. Just added on Saturday, sweet character pens and stationery - how cute is the rainbow pen? think it's my favourite.

Pens £2.50 each

Notebooks £2.75

Stickers starting from 99p

More stickers can be found here - link

and stationery here - link

Do you have a favourite style of stationery of sticker you would like to see us stock?

H

x

Viva Kitsch - Friday Find {New blog post}

Hello,

It seems another week has whizzed past, or is that just me?. Full of busy behind the scenes, dare I say Christmas plans? for Jamboree, I've had my fair share of paint in my hair and glitter on my pinkies.

It's been a while since we posted a Friday find, I would love to share two pieces of kitsch with you. I thought they were so sweet at just 3 inches high, I love how the base is a tambourine. So far this is the listings photo from eBay, noted that the lady may be missing something from her hand, not sure I can make any mini castanets :D, but maybe a mini fan - what do you think? 

What shall this sweet couples names be?

If you love collecting kitsch, vintage, retro, even contemporary funky designs, we would love to hear about your fave item or collection - pop us an email.

If you scroll down - on the right hand side you can follow our guest bloggers posts and their vintage finds, also more collecting adventures in the new section: Adventures of a Collector.

Have a fab weekend, and if your off collecting hope you find some fabulous finds :)

H

x

Let me ask you a question? {Blog post}

I always have the best intentions every year to keep a journal, many a journal has been started, one completed and many unfinished. Half the time I really couldn't tell you what I did last week, even noting down a days activity is forgotten and far to gone to back track. 
So when searching online I found the Q & A a day journal by Potter Style, gold edged and in a vintage book style. Not only does each page have space to span 5 years - four lines to submit your answer, it also has the twist of a question. Today's question is Where have you found evidence of a higher power? - pretty deep, and to the lighter: What is your favourite snack food?, when was the last time you went dancing? etc. A favourite question: What is your recipe for creativity? I jotted down - Imagination, enthusiasm, passion, experimentation, knowledge and a sprinkling of pixie dust. What would you include in your recipe? Maybe you have the journal to - what is your favourite question?
Would love to hear your recipes.
H
x

To catch a shadow - Peter Pan ~*New blog post*~

Such a cute idea for a nursery, just had to post it.

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What do you think?

Keeping memories is as easy as abc... ~*New blog post*~

One Summer I went to stay with family in the Lake District. That summer I crammed every single detail onto the pages of an excerizie book, the fun, mischief and experiences. I still have that excerizie book to this day, a book full of treasured memories. So when I spotted the alphabet excersize books I couldn't help but think of that summer holiday, and just had to add them to the list of goodies we would love for the shop. Not only a retro vibe, but if you love colour, typography and stationery, I'm sure you will love them to.

Three books in total, two lined and one plain paged. I use mine for sketching, notes and memories. Set £3.95.

Perfect to start the new school term in style, cast aside those dowdy excersize books.


What would you use them for?

H

x

A womans work is never done ~*New blog post*~

Here's my Mam hoovering away in the shop. You might notice some changes, alot of revamping was done yesterday, we got there in the end, putting items back on shelves, even a bit of a sing song as we worked. Tweeking still to be done, but as they say, a change does you good. We have been meaning for sometime to have a rejig, now opening up more space for goodies and future displays. Ideas in the pipeline - need to get my craft on and create some creations - watch this space.
Have a fabulous Monday ;)

Thinking outside of the box - comic book project ~*New blog post*~

Just recently Jamboree had an arrival of fab Pop Art inspired goodies. A chest of drawers, mugs and a new addition of a Marilyn notebook - perfect for a Pop art fix.

Joining Twitter, we have made some great pals along our tweeting adventures, shared inspirations and been inspired by fellow crafters, collectors to. So it was lovely to be able to share our love of Pop Art goodies with fellow arty folk. 

Clare, a graduate of fine art, fellow jewellery maker, crafter to, was lovely enough to share her project with us. After being inspired by our Pop Art chest depicting Roy Lichtenstein's "Kiss" Clare decorated stackable boxes with Judge Dread comic stripes, with oodles of PVA glue. I still love PVA!

Here's a sneak peek at the finished result - be sure to check out Claires blog - Butterfly Pie for pics and info to.

Which comic would you be inspired to use for your project? or maybe influenced by your favourite artist?

~We thank you!~ Giveaway time ;)

As a big thank you for all the support of fabulous tweeters, funky facebook amigos, blogger buds, and our lovely instore customers. We thought we would have a lil giveaway. 

Up for grabs is this unusual contemporary kitschy horse necklace - be in a chance to ride off into the sunset wearing said necklace ;) simply be a follower via any of our pages blog, twitter, or facebook and pop us a message - or give us a retweet. Feel free to enter on all three sites for your chance to win - e.g add your comment to all three pages for 3 entries - wayhey!. Closing date is the Sunday the 26th of June. Names shall be picked out of a hat old school style ;)
Good luck
x

{Give away now closed - stay tuned for future give aways}

Pop Art love ~:New blog post:~

Pop art is taking over Jamboree, and we are loving it!

New goodies arrived at the end of last week - funky Pop art mugs £3.95. 

Who would you choose:- Audrey, Elvis or Marilyn?

More goodies check out our website to Jamboree

Deliciously Art Deco, Smurftastic & totally groovy! - belated Friday finds ~{Collecting}~

A belated Friday's find today.

Thanks to Johanna for sharing her fantastic discovery of a lovely pair of Art Deco prints from Whetherby Antiques fair.

Not jealous, honest! ;)
Any contributions to help build a time machine would be most gratefully accepted to travel back to the twenties - who's with me??. Utterly gorgeous images.
This has reminded me of a new figurine in Jamboree - Jazz age dancing couple. Go on, give us a twirl!

And just added to the shop today - Erté illustrated large postcards. Perfect for framing or adding to journals, or surprise a fashion/art loving friend with a snail mail postcard.

From wikipedia:Romain de Tirtoff (23 November 1892 – 21 April 1990) was a Russian-born French artist and designer known by the pseudonym Erté, the French pronunciation of his initials, R.T. He was a diversely-talented 20th century artist and designer who flourished in an array of fields, includingfashion, jewellery, graphic arts, costume and set design for film, theatre, and opera, and interior decor.

We <3 polka dots.
The best bargain for a recent discovery has to go to Vicky, creator of kitsch jewellery - Stars & Scars. I was lucky enough to win a necklace via Vicky's twitter RT giveaway - be sure to take a peek if you love doodles!
How much do you think Vicky's 1970's dress cost? 

Still guessing???

what do you think??

£20?
£10 maybe?
Drum roll.....


£1 - bargain!!! 
A girl after our own hearts. Fantastic find.

I spotted this lil fella in the charity shop window, feet pushed up against the glass, and that cheeky face.

Needing to open up Jamboree, the plan was to nip out and buy him, but the day rolled on and thankfully he was still in the window the next day. I couldn't resist him, as I am in the habit of calling my Dad - Poppa Smurf :) 

His label mentions 1979 - and he's in really good condition. And before he knew it he was given a squish. Adore blue and red as a combination - he's a winner!

Poppa Smurf is catching up on some reading, in the form of a mini children's classic nursery rhyme book, which probably today are not regarded the most popular of nursery rhymes, but classics in their own right. Wonderfully illustrated with vintage illustrations which I need to investigate, the style reminds me of Katie Greenaway.

He is currently residing on the back of the sofa.

Thanks again to Johanna and Vicky - be sure to check them out on Twitter.


Join in Friday finds - pops us a tweet or an email. Share your passion for collecting.

Simply Precious ~{New blog post}~ Calling all collectors

One of the aspects of collecting that I love, is being able to share that passion/inspiration with fellow collector's and friends. How a collection starts, holds special memories, and paves the way for objects/collections to add to the history of the item, it is always intriguing.
One of by best buds, CJ, has been kind enough to share her collection of Precious Moments figurines. This is how it all started...

Here is my Precious Moments Collection. My very first figurine was the one with the girls smelling the flowers. My best friend, Brenda, bought it for me for my birthday. She knew I always loved the doe eyed beauties (adore this description). I got my first corporate job and made great friends there and more Precious Moments started adding to the collection. M has purchased some for our wedding and anniversary and then some to commemorate the birth of our children on Mother's Day. M gave me the couple to the left when we returned from our honeymoon, the one to the right on our first anniversary.

A very special one is a miniature figurine my brother bought me for Christmas one year. It was a pregnant girl with her husband dressed in a coat the year I was pregnant with L. What made it special was the fact that the girl has on a coat and the bottom button is undone. He said he saw it and it reminded him of me because once I got so big, I couldn't fasten that last button. My collection consists of 20 figurines, and each one holds a special memory of a time in my life or the person who gave it to me.

The rocking chair one was Mother's Day 1999 & the girl 

kneeling with the baby was Mother's Day 2002. The middle one 

was a gift from L & C for Mother's Day 2003was a gift from L & C for Mother's Day 2003

The concept of a pregnant figurine, I've never seen before, and the mother and child middle figurine really stands out in CJ's collection - such a sweet tender moment captured.

I love the design of Cj's display cabinet 

All the others in my collection. The one on the middle shelf

first to the right is the preggers PM. 

The curio was a Christmas gift from M the first year we were

married because he knew I was always afraid of them getting

"injured" on top of the entertainment center. :)

It's not hard to see why these cuties are so appealing - they truly live up to their name.

The original designs for Precious Moments were created by Sam Butcher, along with friend Bill Biel the birth of Precious Moments came to life in the 1970's, adorned on posters and greetings cards. Retailers were eager, just waiting to be snap up the collection upon the launch of the designs.

You can read more of Pm's history on the main website. Along with more PM goodies, and how items are created.

With CJ's fabulous collection, it reminded me that in our sticker pot - Precious Moment cuties stickers are hiding - 50p per square. With the My Little Pony stickers, I have used them as the centre for flower decorations, might have a go with PM stickers to :)

Precious moments reminds me of a another illustrator - Betsey Clark - took a little detective work, as unlike PM, Betsey doesn't have her own site. Snapped up by Hallmark in the 1960's,  originally Betsey had being kicked out of several art classes, thankfully she continued with her dedicated imaginative style to create fabulous designs for Hallmark greetings cards. If you are lucky you can snap a few up on eBay.

I found this cute friendship book in a charity shop in Whitley Bay. It needed some love, but with it's dinky size and lovely illustrations I just had to bring it home. :)

For more info check out this website dedicated to Betsey.

Other favourites that were popular around the time Precious Moments came into manufacturing.

Holly Hobbie

Petticoats and Pantaloons

These designs still turn up in charity shops - added two cups, and sweet vase to my collection. Something about them that creates days of making daisy chains, lost in adventures and day dreams.

I think the girl in pink features on one of the mugs.

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They also feature the sweetest quotes, something to ponder and brighten your day. Love quotes? then please check out CJ's blog - Wednesday words are always an inspiration, joined with stunning images and if you love fashion and top finds - what are you waiting for? 

But, before you go - if you would like to share a collection, or a vintage find like our tweeting buds. Send us an email, or tweet us and share in the collecting bug :D 

Thank you Cj for sharing your collection with us.

x