Shalom! and a Christmas story

Shalom ceramic wall tile, c.1960s
a Christmas story, by Richard Burton, 1966

Shalom and Merry Christmas! These two pieces have a lovely synchronicity, in shape, colour and form. The funky symbol of Shalom- Hebrew for peace- has a handwritten message on its timber back – ‘Jerusalem’ which I take to be its place of manufacture. The deep blue and orange of the ceramic tile are so very 60s. As is the simple timber framing.

Meanwhile Richard Burton- THE Richard Burton has written a story about his [impoverished] Welsh childhood and Christmases. He also provided the illustrations. It’s a bit of a turgid read, but this book was continually republished until the late 80s. Must have been doing something right. I bought it mainly for the lovely graphics on the hardback cover.

Wishing all my readers Shalom, and Merry Christmas! And I am sure Richard Burton would want to send his wishes also.

Fuzzy Felt!

Fuzzy Felt Ballet & Play Farm
made in England 1964

One of my earliest memories is seeing Fuzzy Felt Bible Stories at Scripture class. I would have been 3 or 4. Even then I wanted to mix all the stories up and see what would happen if Jesus and Lazarus meet on Noah’s Ark. And what if the disciples and all the animals suddenly found themselves in King Solomon’s temple? Alas, it never happened as any attempts I made were neatly thwarted by the teacher.

And so- how I coveted Fuzzy Felt Bible Stories! I repeatedly asked Santa to bring it to me for Christmas [but apparently it was too expensive for Santa- the cheapskate!] Then for my 8^th birthday- I was given Fuzzy Felt Ballet, and my younger sister got Fuzzy Felt Play Farm. I was very disappointed…it was too girly for me, although the black fuzzy felt board was kind of sophisticated. The Play Farm at least had heavy machinery, albeit picked out in two-dimensional felt.

So imagine my delight when I came across these two Fuzzy Felt sets! Oh the nostalgia! The memories of putting ballerinas on tractors and putting tutus on pigs! It all came flooding back. As did the blurb on the box:

“Gaily coloured felt shapes to make pictures! They cling like magic on the fuzzy board!”

Totally magical. The two sets are complete, with only a little minor wear to the black fuzzy felt board. For sale: $AU60

Have a fuzzy felt christmas!

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Shalom! and Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Story, by Richard Burton, 1966
Shalom ceramic tile, c.1960s

Shalom and Merry Christmas! These two pieces have a lovely synchronicity, in shape, colour and form. The funky symbol of Shalom- Hebrew for peace- has a handwritten message on its timber back – ‘Jerusalem’ which I take to be its place of manufacture. The deep blue and orange of the ceramic tile are so very 60s. The tile is framed and has a hook for hanging on its back- this Shalom is meant for display.

Meanwhile Richard Burton- THE Richard Burton -has written a story about his [impoverished] Welsh childhood and subsequent Christmases. He also provided the illustrations. Apparently an acTOR and an author/illustrator. It’s a bit of a turgid read, but this book was continually republished until the late 80s. Must have been doing something right. I bought it mainly for the lovely graphics on the hardback cover.

Wishing all my readers Shalom, and Merry Christmas! And I am sure Richard Burton would want to add his wishes also.

This set is for sale: $AUD45

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Merrrrrrrry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

To all my gallant and steadfast followers and readers….Merry Christmas! Have a lovely festive time and enjoy much retro!

[This is my partner’s Christmas ideal: a retro Christmas tree stand -from a long ago defunct shop- adorned with pottery angels by Australian artist Suzi Tyson, c. 1990s.]

sUNBEAM bEATER mIX

Sunbeam Beater Mix
made in Australia 1972

How often have I used a Sunbeam Beater Mix to make pavlova? A million times. How often have I used it to make anything else? Not so much.

So – when I came across this beauty- new in box, I had to have it. It’s been checked by an electrician and it is oked for pavlova making.

It’s a fabulous 70s yellow colour, on black bakelite. Oh so 70s. The blurb on the box describes it thus: “portable, lightweight, with three powerful speeds- and – ejectable beaters!’ Really- you had me at ‘ejectable beaters’!

So- for all your pavlova / other beating needs [remind me again – what they might be?] the Sunbeam Beater Mix is for sale: $AU75

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Fuzzy Felt!

Fuzzy Felt Ballet & Play Farm
made in England 1964

One of my earliest memories is seeing Fuzzy Felt Bible Stories at Scripture class. I would have been 3 or 4. Even then I wanted to mix all the stories up and see what would happen if Jesus and Lazarus meet on Noah’s Ark. And what if the disciples and all the animals suddenly found themselves in King Solomon’s temple? Alas, it never happened as any attempts I made were neatly thwarted by the teacher.

And so- how I coveted Fuzzy Felt Bible Stories! I repeatedly asked Santa to bring it to me for Christmas [but apparently it was too expensive for Santa- the cheapskate!] Then for my 8^th birthday- I was given Fuzzy Felt Ballet, and my younger sister got Fuzzy Felt Play Farm. I was very disappointed…it was too girly for me, although the black fuzzy felt board was kind of sophisticated. The Play Farm at least had heavy machinery, albeit picked out in two-dimensional felt.

So imagine my delight when I came across these two Fuzzy Felt sets! Oh the nostalgia! The memories of putting ballerinas on tractors and putting tutus on pigs! It all came flooding back. As did the blurb on the box:

“Gaily coloured felt shapes to make pictures! They cling like magic on the fuzzy board!”

Totally magical. The two sets are complete, with only a little minor wear to the black fuzzy felt board. For sale: $AU60

40s hand-woven basket

Cane hand-woven basket
made in Australia 1940s

I’ve styled this basket with some Christmas Bush- so appropriate for the season. The basket is hand-woven, circa 1940s and it’s great for displaying fruit or flowers; or for – you know- shopping. I don’t do much of the latter- but I do a lot of the former.

All sorts of vintage items can be repurposed to hold/show/display contemporary necessities. Groceries / mail / eBay packages; it’s great when one item can do it all – like this basket. And still be good to fulfill its original purpose [should the need arise.]

The beautiful basket is for sale: $AUD40

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

This is my partner’s Christmas ideal: a retro Christmas tree stand [from a long ago defunct shop] adorned with pottery angels by Australian artist Suzi Tyson, c. 1990s.

Happy Birthday Trish!

Squatter [sold]

Squatter
made by John Sands, Australia 1962

Squatter – the ‘sheep farming game’ was created by Robert C. Lloyd and launched at the Royal Melbourne Show in 1962. It was described at the time as an Australian version of Monopoly- but Monopoly was never as complex and ‘realistic’ as this game.

This is an original game from 1962- it’s never been used. It’s in excellent condition and ready for 2-6 players to while away 1-2 hours trading sheep and reliving Christmases past. Who doesn’t remember scouring the ‘Ready Reckoner’ to decide when and how many sheep to sell or buy? Oh the memories come flooding back.

Squatter is for sale- buy now for Christmas! $AUD45

Pickled Onion jar

Pickled onion jar
made in Japan 1960s

You may have seen a SlyvaC crying onion jar- they were first made in the 50s. These jars and now very collectible [as is anything SlyvaC.] This is a Japanese knock-off, made in the 60s- albeit with a different crying onion face and inscribed ‘pickled onions’.

I bought the jar hoping my sister- who is a dab hand at making pickled onions – a MUST for Christmas, would obliging fill the jar with said pickled onions for me. Alas she refused. Not only will she be away and so unable to make any condiments- she also expressed her disdain for the jar. Am I the only one who thinks it’s hilarious?

And so- without any hope of having homemade pickled onions this Christmas- I offer the jar for sale. It would be a fantastic Christmas gift for anyone who actually can and will make pickled onions to go with the Christmas ham. It’s in good condition and for sale for $AUD35

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