A Plastic Fantastic? Hassock & Other Curiosities

The final installment of the 2012 Brimfield Antiques Show yielded an abundance of unique and unusual items, including this ...

Plastic Fantastic? Hassock

Just when you thought you've seen it all — and I've been attending this show for many years and seen everything from a giant Rob's Big Boy sign to the tackiest lamps ever created — along comes another "What the hell is it?" item. This isn't the greatest photo, but if you're brave enough to look closely, the inside of this mid-century footstool houses some type of terrarium with, as my friend Katie put it, "the saddest plastic cemetery flowers" trapped inside. The price tag has it at $85 — EEYAAAAHHH!!!

Also hidden in plain sight was this proud phalanx of semi-creepy, headless mannequins that escaped the confines of some long lost department store windows...

Icabod Mannequin Army

I'm the one in the back with the mucho-chiseled abs, with my clothing casually draped over my right shoulder.

And, in case you've forgotten, plants can be awfully decorative, and can be displayed in myriad ways. I especially like this decorative Victorian plant stand — maybe it's a bit too decorative? — which would look darling against a wall of a screened-in porch. Maybe instead of plants I'd place a silver mirrored gazing ball on top of each fan. Sure wish I had a screened-in porch.

Plant Stand Fans

For this show, I purchased just a handful of bargain items, including this adorable "Nemo-ready" 3-pc. chalkware fish wall plaque — only $12.

On the top side of the fish, it says "1960 Miller Studio, Inc." And after doing a little digging on ebay, I found this bit of history about Miller Studio:

Miller Studio began as a small corner gift shop in New Philadelphia, Ohio in 1934 and was founded by Harry Miller and his wife Clela.

Mr. & Mrs. Miller had the idea that there might be a market in their shop for quality, hand painted wall plaques and began to produce these items in relatively small production runs...

Using a jobber sales force to distribute the pieces, by 1952 Miller Studio had become the leading manufacturer of decorative wall decor for the house wares trade...

Here it is on my bathroom wall next to my vanity mirror:

I also found another vintage print tablecloth. I already have several, but this one has a fall-like motif with the more atypical colors of yellow and brown. This was a good deal at $20.

And, because holiday traditions hold strong for me, I found more vintage Christmas bulbs to add to my ever-expanding collection. These are all miniature base C-6 series, G-E Mazda, and they all work. The two blue candle-shaped bulbs are difficult to find, so I was glad to get these. The pink color bulbs are also less plentiful, as are the yellow ones on the right (these are a truer yellow in comparison to the ones on the left, which are the more typical orange-yellow). These packages along with two more in pink are part of a lot I bought for $20. Happy Christmas in September!