Redabe

Red Carpet

Welcome to Redabe 

Redabe (pronounced red-ah-be) is a place where I share my appreciation for discarded “junk” and “treasures”.  But it’s much bigger than that really. When I find a good pick I often wonder about the journey it made before I found it.  When an owner shares with me his or her story and the background of a special item, it is better than watching the History Channel on a rainy day. Because when one’s appreciation of an object ends, someone else’s love and appreciation for that object begins. When someone relinquishes ownership, Redabe helps establish a new history for the object by passing it along so that it can create new stories for new people.  

I relish the time I spend making an object functional once again or transforming it into an art project. But I’ve also learned that I don’t need to keep everything I find all for myself. These special things are meant for sharing. So whether I keep something for days, months, or years, once I’ve admired and appreciated it fully, I relinquish it to Redabe.

To find vintage items and unique art projects for sale, visit the Redabe Etsy Shop.

 

Big Baby Hands

                   

Hands have nearly made my collection list.  I say nearly because I was able to restrain myself from purchasing one.  I stood there awhile admiring the hand as I played with it asking myself, "What am I going to do with it?"  Silly me.  I should know better.  I know what I would do with it.  Like most things I buy, I find the perfect spot for it at home.  I must have briefly experienced a mental lapse.  Phew....I'm going back. 

 

True Blue

        

 

 

I have always liked glass bottles, especially cobalt blue! After salvaging a dirty bottle, I get excited like a kid in a candy store while I examine the shape and its condition. Some do not like chips and nicks on their bottles, but I think it adds to their charm! Regardless, these bottles will look good anywhere. 

 

Mothball Pick :: Artisan Hand

                                                    

                                                  
I am excited to share with you my newest mothball pick!  This handcrafted wooden hand was a token gift for purchasing a collectible at a flea market.  I now use it as a business card holder!

Carnival Sideshow

                                                 

                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                

              

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

The carnival is in town!  Remember the fun rides and eating the frosting filled cupcakes.  The sideshow Strongman Luigi was amazing!  

Check out these artists and vintage treasures! 

                                                           

                                                    

Etsy Faves :: Popcorn

Mr. Dee-lish Popcorn takes me back in time.  It makes me smile! 

I always order Coke with my popcorn!  This popcorn box draws many collectors:  Coca Cola, Popcorn, Cinema.

Popcorn soap.  How cool is that!

My two favorite things: boxes and popcorn!  When combined how do you beat that?!

Vintage Cut

 

My scissors were always covered with glue. The elementary school art project that required paper plates always did me in.  

Vintage children's scissors revive childhood memories and add charm to any space!

 

Driftwood Pirate Stories

This driftwood pirate has many stories.  The animated stone artist tells his story of assembly during my visit.  Bent toes, transporting heavy rock and being slammed by ocean waves...all in a days work!  

Long Beach Flea Market, Fun!

It's that time again.  I am sorting and packing.  I have a dealers spot at the Long Beach Antique & Collectible Flea Market.  We have plenty of vintage & handmade wares.  Visit us at space #F-357.  Long Beach Vet's is always a fun outdoor flea market!

 

Coarsegold Peddlers Market

Over memorial day weekend I attended the Coarsegold flea market for the first time and I had a great time.  After digging through many boxes and negotiating for the best price I took home some great finds!

I do have a single grumble concerning the flea market. Half the vendors were a mix of old stuff and new stuff. Coarsegold Peddlers Market may have just jumped the shark.

Friends!

I love this sign. It hangs on the side of the house in a quiet pomegranate garden. The artist likes to use recycled materials and only paints when inspired.  I love your work mom!

Mothball Pick :: Vintage Porcelain Ring Holder

This vintage porcelain ring holder was buried in the corner of a room in an old country house.  Its use maybe more then just a ring holder. It makes a great decorative piece in any space.   

It would make a great display piece for any jewelry maker! 

This porcelain ring holder is listed at the Redabe Etsy Shop.

Moasic, Country Flower

This art project was created by my mom. It's one of my favorites. A country crocheted tea strained flower with vintage buttons as the center piece sits in an antique stoneware jar.  The moasic table is made of mostly large pieces of blue willow. This enclosed porch is her space for morning reading. 

Catalina Story

Ocean mist sprinkles my sunglasses. The morning sun melts my facial tension. Swirling cool wind feels like a breath of new life. Catalina Island was a day trip that revived frayed senses.

 

Catalina artisans draw inspiration from their small Island. The above artist used this house as their medium to tell their story of Catalina Island.  The people of Catalina Island are nice and friendly.  

Mothball Pick :: Frogs Out Of Water

This Mothball Pick was found at a country rummage sale. The former owner said it had been buried in her closet for years.

These flower frogs are considered spike or nail-style frogs. Flower frogs in the United States reached popularity in the mid-twenties and thirties. Vintage frogs have found renewed life in the creative shabby chic home. These frogs work perfectly for displaying vintage family photos!        

Share your different uses of vintage flower frogs. 

Etsy Faves :: Saucers

I have always liked fun patterns. Oftentimes, the simplest patterns are the best. It's fun mixing and matching saucer plates. There are a few rules though.......make it fun, use it and let it inspire creativity!  

These are my Etsy Faves.  

 

              


1.)  6 Hazel Atlas Depression Glass Pink Diamond Optic Saucers

       by Diantiques

2.)  4 Vintage Salem Heirloom Saucers  by Redabe

3.)  Fenton Early 1940's Aqua Crest Saucer by Suzyq1981

4.)  4 Sweet Flower and Ribbon Cupcake Plates by Twigandsprout

5.)  Kraft Pink Homer Laughlin Saucers set 3 (1937-1952)

       by Country Chic Cottage

6.)  Johnson Brothers Ironstone China Saucers, Staffordshire Bouquet

       Pattern(2) by Cassie's Tale Vintage

Wood Croquet Balls

Vintage croquet balls look fun and add balance to any space. A game of Croquet evokes laughs, smiles and good times. Consider these balls a bit of Irish luck!

Violet Sky

 

Picks are unexpected.  This is unexpected.  The morning is crisp and quite.  Mindful clutter is purged.  Nature chatters while viewing the fog blanket in the Sierra Nevada mountains. 

 

Cobalt Blue Perfume Bourjois

The color of cobalt blue shifts to purple hues when the light hits it just right. These two bottles are from the Evening in Paris Bourjois perfume line.  They remind me of the great movie classics.  "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night." (Bette Davis)     

These two Bourjois perfume bottles are listed at the Redabe Etsy Shop.

Etsy Faves :: Ampersand

Ampersand draws appeal.  I have always liked the ampersand sign.  I own several that furnish rooms in my home and office.  An ampersand sign adds charm, character, inspiration and warmth to any space.  You can't go wrong!

 

                    

 

1.)  Vintage Ampersand Stencils from Panache Papergoods

2.)  Vintage Wooden Letterpress Ampersand from Redabe

3.)  Ampersand Pillow from Honey Pie Design

4.)  24" Distressed Light-up Marquee Ampersand from Tom Toupin

5.)  Upscaled Wall Decor Ampersand from Shabbie Chic Home

 

 

Little 'Fraid-of-the-Dark' switchplate

 

Unique artwork from a vintage book always looks fantastic on a switchplate. If the focal point of the artwork remains intact on the switchplate it becomes a sought-after handmade that looks cool in any space.  

Patten Beard is the author of this short story titled:  Little 'Fraid-of-the-Dark'. Book Trails, For Baby Feet are books I found in a used bookstore going out of business.  The 1928 book series covers short stories and rhymes.

More vintage book artwork switchplates can be found at our Redabe Etsy Shop.

Making Inexpensive Light Tent

 

Photos can make or break a sale. Photography is expensive, but if you have an online store you need good pictures of your inventory. I stumbled across a good article titled How to Make An Inexpensive Light Tent.  It takes you step-by-step through the supplies you need and how to construct it.  Let me know how it goes.

Good luck!

Vintage Paper Fair

One weekend is not enough time to see all the media print available at this fair.  It was not just the quantity but the quality of the collections that surprised me.  Dealers were friendly and welcome questions.  If you are interested in the background story of a specific piece then it is best you grab a seat because the dealers are zealous about their collection.  I look forward to returning soon. Two thumbs up!

 

Spell fun!

Main Street is no longer than two blocks. It’s in a cute town where Craftsman homes are plentiful. In this small charming community you will find 32 murals displayed on old building walls, a water tower in the center of town and orange groves that produce the most deliciously sweet fruit at harvest. In the spring orange pollen perfumes the air and tickles your nose. This is where I found vintage wooden typeset letters, and I couldn’t leave without them.

 There is something about letters that spell fun! Vintage wooden letterpresses add character and charm to any space. These letters write their own stories in a study or library that delivers comfort and warmly welcomes guests. Placing the wooden letterpress in a vintage cheese box and antique oak drawer from a dilapidated sewing machine make perfect places for displaying these letters.

 How do you display your letters?

                                                          Visit Redabe to find your favorite typeset letters!

Vintage Sign Better Than New

I like the creative use of the vintage cars in this sign.  A new sign wouldn't create a draw like this.  It certainly made me pull over.

I picture the owner salvaging these old toy cars from an overgrown backyard littered with junk.  Either way those cars are a great find!

Tell me what you think about the sign!