Vintage Things I Collect And Love: That Might Surprise You

You may be surprised at some of the vintage things I collect. You all know about the crocks and the tins … but these items may just surprise you!

While you all know that I love to fill my home with things that are weathered and tell a story, there are some things that are here inside my home that you may NOT know about. I share so many of my collections online each and every day …. but, like any good content creator, I don’t always share all of my secrets! Today, I am gonna mention a handful of the vintage things that I collect and love that you may not know about yet.

You all know that I love things like crocks and butter pats and old tins, but there are some things that I really do like that just may surprise you. Like the old zippers above, there are some fun things that I just can’t let go of.

SURPRISE: Sharing A Few Vintage Things I Collect

Ephemera

There is something charming about little bits of paper and hand written notes from long ago. If you aren’t familiar with the term, ephemera simply means “items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity.” I usually just think of ephemera as old paper(s)/paper products that somehow have survived the test of time – that should have been short lived. I can not describe the feeling I get when I stumble upon something like a collection of papers that someone chose to keep that could have easily been thrown away and destroyed. I especially like finding old hand written notes. (In this day and age, I sometimes think that note writing is becoming a lost art – and that makes me sad.). In addition to finding old letters, right now I really enjoy old checks and bank statements such just like these.

Golden Guide Books

If you look deep into my jolly green giant cabinet (you can see a picture of that beast here), you will find quite a few things that I love. On the second shelf, on the right hand side, you will find a small but mighty collection of Golden Guide Books. What do I love most about these you might ask – the graphics. You guys, they are so so good. Do yourself a favor and check them out! If you are a sucker for beautiful pictures then you will love them too.

Not Just Any Ironstone

It should come as no surprise to you that I love and collect ironstone. If you saw that jolly green giant cabinet then you know! But what might surprise you is that which ironstone piece I love the most. Some may think I would love this or this or this …. but I love ironstone dinner plates (like these) most of all. I do not have many of them … but man do I love them!

Mini Antique/Vintage Bowling Pins

This obsession began when my dad was doing some ‘pickin’ on my behalf. He snagged an old mini bowling set – complete with the bowling balls (like this one) and I out it in the booth to resell. Well, it sold right away and I immediately regretted selling it. Ever since, I pick up little bowling pins when I can find them! I don’t have a complete set like the one Pops found for me yet – but I know one day I will find one! I know I have shared these cuties on my Instagram many times, but you may not know that I activly have a stash of them! You can see all sorts of mini bowling pins here. (But – be on the lookout for fakes.)

Vintage Enamel Flower Pins

This love this collection because of just ONE thing. They remind me of my grandmother. My Grandma Dolly wore jewelry every single day and these pins are ones that were past down to me when she died. These pins, among other vintage jewelry such as this) reminds me of here and so I hang onto them – (smile).

Vintage Hose Nozzles

So I realize this one is a little weird – but there is just something fun about these old nozzles. They are easy to love because they are small and very sturdy. You can pop them anywhere and they really aren’t very expensive. You can see more vintage hose nozzles here.

Instagram Poll Responses

“What Some Of You Collect?”

A few days ago I put up a poll in my Instagram stories and I asked a very important question …… I wanted to know what YOU guys are collecting these days! I got some really fun answers and I am sharing a handful of them with you all below!

Responses:
Small Old Cookbooks
Ironstone
Antique Books
Old Bookmarks
Flower Frogs
Crochet Thread
Vintage Chocolate Covered Cherry Boxes
Pyrex
Local Church Cookbooks
Church Windows
Salvage
Awnings
Cloches
Garden Antiques
Tiger Decor
Old Wine Corks
Plant Misters
Turquoise Jewelry
Toledo Scales
Wall Pockets
Cherubs
Toile Trays
Victorian Figurines – Made in Japan
Wexford Dishes
Vintage Ice Cream Scoops
Milk Glass – with lids only
Vintage Graters
Hat Pins
Nemadji Pottery
Sock Darners
Old Umbrellas
Rocks and Shells
Cuckoo Clocks
Vintage Fishing Gear
Pickle Forks
Old Game Pieces
Vera Neumann
Composite Baby Heads
Old Aluminum Flashlights
Vintage Madonnas & Crucifixes
Chinese Checker Boards
Vintage Christmas Pins
Yoyos
Advertising Yard Sticks
Stitched Samplers
Watch Faces

Unique Responses:
VW Bugs
World War II Wooden Tent Steaks
WW2 USA Paratrooper Everything
Maple Syrup Taps
Pin Money Banks
Carnival Canes

Made Me Laugh Response:
My brother collects old photos and then makes up stories of how they are related to us!

Sweetest Response:
Historical Books From Pioneer Days That Have Stories About My Family

(A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to reply. There were many. many other great replies – these are only a few of them! It is goos to know that I am not the only one drawn to collecting!)

Wrap Up

There are probably a few other collections that I have that may surprise you guys – that I just can’t think of- but these are the ones that stood out to me in the moment. I may have to add to the list here when they come to me!

With a vintage booth and an instagram account centered around vintage, I am always surrounded by cool old things. While part of me sometimes wishes I could keep it all – there are only a handful of things that I just can’t live without. Right now, these are some of the vintage things I collect and love … and just can not part with! The best part is that as time moves on, my passion for these collections may change and other passions may bloom! And the best part …. is that there are so many cool things out there for us to all collect … big and small! All ya gotta do is get out there and look for it! Happy hunting my friends!