Vintage toys are one of our favourite collectibles at Strand Trading Post. These antique treasures may no longer be suitable for small children given that many of them have become more delicate with age, but that does not mean that collectors cannot enjoy them. If you have a love of vintage toys, have a look at some of the pieces we have at Strand Trading Post right now.
We are still obsessed with these wooden artist's mannequins. Read our post about them to find out more about these charming figurines.
We are sure that this Irish Terrier on wheels was once a little boy or girl's best friend. It still has the potential to bring a lot of joy into children's hearts today!
This miniature carousel is filled a lot of detailed work. It is a tiny, colourful work of art!
These vintage skittles are from France where they are very popular. They can make for a fun game night activity to share with your family and friends.
This miniature tea-set is perfect for a little or a not-so-little lady.
Which of these has taken you back to your childhood? Share your childhood toy memories in the comments below.
Thursday, 21 February 2013
One of the things we love most about antiques here at Strand Trading Post is that they lend themselves to being reinvented and used in fresh new ways. Have a look at some of the creative ways we have put our vintage finds to use here at Strand Trading Post.
Vintage plates don't just have to be used for dining, you can use them to create decorative wall art as well! Simply use a glue gun to attach plates to old wooden box lids or any other "black canvas" you have available. Decorate them further with glass and mirror bobbles.
Antique bowls and other containers can be put to use in the garden as planters for dainty flowers.
Staying within the garden, vintage headboards like these can be used as an interesting focal point for creepers to grow on and around. We are planning on planting a creeper near this one soon!
Cheeseboards provide an unique storage place for sewing essentials such as scissors, needles and thread.
Hat boxes are no longer just for hats. You can use them as a display for all of your favourite vintage accessories including hats, shoes and evening bags.
A children's sled makes an interesting feature in the kitchen and can be used to hang up pots and colanders that are used regularly above your cooking station.
Here vintage sheets were turned into curtains. Letter cut-outs and other details were added for some extra character.
How have you re-purposed your vintage goods to fit in with your own home and style? Please let us know, we would love to hear about and see some of your creations!
These antique shoe molds are now available at Strand Trading Post.
Ever since we picked up these antique shoe mold from the last time we visited France and Belgium we have been thinking about interesting and unusual ways in which they can be incorporated into vintage decor. So you can imagine how delighted we were when we stumbled across this DIY coat rack idea from JL Stephens Couture (shown in the image below).
The crafty crew at JL Stephens Couture created this coat rack using antique shoe molds, similar to those currently at Strand Trading Post, and upcycled doorknobs. They are easy to make and are sure to be the perfect addition to the entryway of any home that carries a vintage aesthetic.
Rosebud's Cottage also got creative with shoe molds and placed them inside old picture frames for added detail and then used them as towel rails in the bathroom. This is a great idea if you want to add some character to a bathroom that is short on space.
Finally, we just adore this coat rack created by My Old Country House. The pointed shoe molds simply received insets to accommodate coats and the pointed edges of the molds can be used to store hats and scarves.
We hope you are feeling as inspired as we are! Do you have any ideas of how you would incorporate these shoe molds into your decor? Let us know in the comments.
Things are always changing here at Strand Trading Post as we
rearrange the shop to make space for the beautiful antiques that are constantly
coming in after our travels to source vintage goods in France and Belgium. One
thing that never changes though is Boomer’s friendly face which is always ready
to great you when you visit us at Strand Trading Post.
Boomer is a rescue dog that has become a central part of the
Strand family since we adopted her. She is a Schnauzer/ Yorkie cross and she
has the same friendly and warm personality usually associated with both of
these breads. When Boomer first became part of the family she was shy and
scared, but over the years she has become more comfortable here at Strand Trading
Post and this has allowed her beautiful personality to shine through.
Some of Boomer’s favourite hobbies are: greeting guests as
they pop into the shop; lounging around on the vintage sofas, playing with her
rubber chicken and being pampered with head and tummy rubs.
We know that Boomer’s friendly face will be first among the
many things that you will remember after you have visited us at the Strand
Trading Post!
Come have a look at the wide selection of vintage wooden mannequins currently at Strand Trading Post.
On the artist's desk he sits in
silence
Faceless, he's waiting as he does
each day.
Wooden limbs in a pose of
defiance
But only because she posed him
that way.
His fingerless hands in a fist
raised high
Indecipherable in its meaning;
He has no emotion, isn't alive -
Without these his motions are
unfeeling.
The artist brings life to his
lifelessness,
Expression to his every lack of
one.
His role is to be a framework for
this,
The painting he is a central part
of.
Under-appreciated though he's
been,
He is the artist's wooden
mannequin.
The above poem from Teen Ink perfectly describes the wooden
mannequins that have found a new temporary home at Strand Trading Post. Vintage
wooden mannequins, traditionally used by artists when they are unable to secure
a live model, are enjoying a moment of pop cultural stardom after being
featured in countless stop motion YouTube videos. The mannequins are used as a
reference for proportion when drawing a human figure. Their adjustability
allows them to be posed in either still or action positions which allow artists
to focus on the ration of one part to another.
Wooden mannequins can be found in many different forms and
sizes. Seeing as they are fully jointed, they have to be handled with care.
They are susceptible to damage with the careless jolt of an arm or a leg.
Mannequins, especially vintage ones like those at Strand
with added character, are great home decor accessories. It’s an affordable and
quirky of bringing an element of art into any living space.
Also have a look at this charming video to see where the trend started.
Do you feel inspired to take on a DIY project this weekend?
Why not try converting an old metal tin into a fridge magnet that can also
serve as a container. We found this easy and pretty DIY (pictured above) on the Martha Stewartwebsite.
To make your own version simply place a small, powerful magnet into an empty
tin. This will make the tin magnetic and you will be able to decorate your
fridge and store some small extras like pencils in your new magnetic containers.
Strand Trading Posthas a host of different tins to choose from, so pop into
our store over the weekend to pick your tins and give this quick and easy DIY a
try.
