Collecting Memories

Posted on June 25, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

When I interview folks about their collections and why they pursue particular objects, the answer is usually always the same. They are trying to recapture a memory usually from their youth, a place in time when they were happy or a time that held a special meaning for them.

THE Coca-Cola button…the object of my desire!

For those of you who have read some of my earlier blog entries, you may recall my romance with the ever-elusive antique Coca-Cola button. This was the Coca-Cola button that anchored the restaurant sign that hung outside the Kotis Café…the diner my family owned for nearly 20 years in Pennsylvania. I had salvaged the only existing photograph of the restaurant several years ago and ever since, started combing the east coast for this little treasure.

The family diner…The Kotis Cafe

Summertime always fuels my obsession with the Coke button because it’s the time of year that I spent vacationing at my grandmother’s home in PA. I would spend afternoons hanging out in the kitchen, sitting on a yellow kitchen stool, leaning in on her turquoise Formica countertops, watching her cook and tell me stories such as the Kotis Café story. Spending time with her in the summer was always a happy time, running around the back yard chasing fireflies in the cool evenings with my cousins, Heather and Katie, and sitting in the carport on the big green metal glider, drinking a glass bottle Coke.

Grandma’s metal glider was very similar to this one…

If I were being really “good,” my mom would take me for short walk up the street to Zimmerman’s Nut and Candy Shop (which has been in operation since 1915!) to get a bag of gummy worms or cashew nuts or grandma would let me play some of her old jazz records such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and my favorite, Billy Holiday.

Zimmerman’s Nut and Candy Shop, Harrisburg, PA

Today, I’m a step-mom to an 11-year-old boy and the summertime is often filled with weekend trips to his grandparent’s house in Lynchburg, VA. We packed up the car for a quick trip two weeks ago…and while we were about to merge onto a road in the middle of no-wheres-ville, VA, I glanced to my left and saw something red and round and rusty, hanging on the side of the building.

Our lovely 24″ Coca-Cola button…leaning up against the Mr.’s antique truck.

“THAT’S IT!!!” I screamed, as I nearly drove us off the highway to turn into a plant nursery parking lot. On the side of this little nursery building was THE Coke button! I parked the car, ran inside and asked the young girl behind the counter how much they wanted for the sign hanging outside. “That ol’ thing? I’ll have to call the owner to find out…” I waited nervously for what seemed like a lifetime for the answer and then she finally spoke…“75 bucks.” Needless to say I was almost in tears as the Mr. pried it off the building with a small hammer as I paid for the antique Coke sign inside.

What a better way to kick-off this summer!

We brought her home later that weekend, buffed her gently with an old t-shirt rag and placed her on a wall inside our family room…where we can admire her faded beauty every day. I couldn’t be happier…

What are your summertime memories? Is there a special treasure that you are hunting for that is tied to your past? If so, tell us about it!

Hey, wanna test your Coca-Cola knowledge…take the quiz!

Q&A: Historical Costumes With The Cowboy Prince

Posted on June 12, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

The Cowboy Prince

It’s not everyday that you meet someone who is so completely passionate about cultural history that it influences his entire lifestyle. Meet the Cowboy Prince (aka Charlie C. Umhau). To say that this Cowboy is unique is a total understatement. Not only is the Cowboy Prince the nicest person you’ll probably every meet in your life, his homemade buttermilk biscuits and knack with a sewing machine might leave you a bit speechless. I know I was…

Q: Tell us who you are and what are your interests:

Cowboy Prince: I’m a folk art tailor/artist and costume designer. I’m an eccentric with a sewing machine and I’m a bold purveyor of old romantic notions. I am a lover of life who strives to live with an emphasis on intentionality and living out loud.

Q: Describe your style in three words:

Cowboy Prince: Quixotic, Rustic, Americana.

Vintage sheriff badge collection with hand built primitive table, pewter table wear and homemade biscuits! Yum!

Q: Tell me about your home:

Cowboy Prince: I call it the Cowboy Prince Castile. I see it as a living canvas and want to cultivate the very atmosphere in which I dwell.

A room with a view…into the past that is! Vintage sewing table and chair with antique persian rug.

Q: How would you categorize your home décor/style?

Cowboy Prince: It has a Cracker Barrel aesthetic…with items hanging on the walls and the ceilings. I try to pay homage for things I am nostalgic for.

Original black, white and red version of an 1860′s Zouave uniform with hand-sewn piping.

Q: Is there a specific time period that you try to emulate through your clothing design or lifestyle?

Cowboy Prince: My clothing is mostly inspired by the 1860’s through the 1960’s; Homespun battle shirts of the confederate soldiers to embroidered denim of the flower children of the 1960’s.

Original Cowboy Prince shirts…each one tailor fit to the individual.

Q: What inspired your passion for historical costume design?

Cowboy Prince: I didn’t have a time machine, but I had a sewing machine! It all derived from a desire and yearning for the past. I wanted to fuse together those different elements in a singular outfit or design. Throughout time, every historical character had an emphasis on their attire. I find it fascinating that one can express their ideals through a simple act such as buttoning a shirt.

The Cowboy Prince, wearing the Motion and Glory Suit, illustrated with painted elements of his personal costume history.

Q: Where do you go to find your treasures?

Cowboy Prince: Most of my treasures came from my family and were passed down. I also enjoy frequenting antique stores and Ebay. For example, the vintage sheriff badges came from my childhood, at birthday parties and from friends. I love antique bookstores…one of my favorites in Richmond is Black Swan. I also love Bygones in Carytown…it’s a great place for local costume history.

Q: When did you learn to sew?

Cowboy Prince: I took my first sewing lesson about 2 years ago at G Street Fabrics in Washington, D.C. I learned how to sew tote bags, shirt and pants. I dropped out of school and then bought a sewing machine and moved to Richmond. For the past year, I worked as a wardrobe assistant at the Virginia Commonwealth University theatre department costume shop. I strived to make a shirt for myself every week, gathering fabrics from bedding, sheets, vintage fabrics and such.

Sunday Reporter Star society page, c. 1927

Q: Could you tell me about one of your favorite antique items in your home?

Cowboy Prince: I have this wonderful society article from the Sunday Reporter Star, from 1927, that mentions my great-grandmother. Other items include a men’s straw boater hat from 1910 and a hand-sewn crazy quilt from 1924 that was purchased in Aiken, S.C.

The Cowboy Prince and his hand-built and illustrated peddlers cart…still a work in progress!

Q: What can you tell me about this amazing hand built cart?

Cowboy Prince: I am preparing for a yearlong performance piece, in which I will strive to embody the folk heroes of the past…selling my wears on the road. I will be pulling this homemade, Amish-style peddlers cart from Richmond, VA to Washington, D.C. in attempt to reawaken the creative potential of our generation.

The journey IS the destination…good luck with your journey Cowboy!

Happy sewing Cowboy! Keep us posted on your journey to D.C.! Good luck! For more information about the Cowboy Prince and how to purchase his clothing and artwork, check out his website: http://charliecumhau.com/home.html

If you’d like to help support Charlie on his mission, check out this video: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/380837518/custers-last-waistband

Squash-a-penny Junction, Part 2

Posted on June 4, 2012 by thesavvyseeker

So this is my Squashapenny Junction Recap, Part Deux! Remember this amazing place I blogged about last week? Well, there was soooo much to talk about, I thought it would be best to split it into a two-part series. That way I didn’t totally overload you with all of the amazing eye candy! Just in case you forgot, here’s the main building from the front of the property that holds lots of vintage treasure! One thing I forgot to add, was that the owner of Squashapenny also sells a lot of these items as movie props…how cool is that?

Lots of treasure to be found in the Squashapenny General Store!

Directly across the street is this beautiful farmhouse. I can’t even tell you how much I love this house!!! With the green shutters and that wonderfully welcoming wrap around front porch!! (I think there’s a cold glass of sweet tea calling my name on that porch somewhere) Anywho, apparently it was the original hotel for the town since the railroad tracks are located a stones throw away from the home. This house was also constructed around the 1860′s (same time period as the general store building). Today, it is now a private residence…

I would LOVE to see the inside of this beautiful 1860′s home!

Next to the old farmhouse is this charming brick building that was the town’s original bank. This building was not constructed until 1920. Today, it has become a high end antique store that houses some serious americana collectibles. It wasn’t open when I was there visiting, but I drooled while peeking in the window. There were hobby horses and hand painted signs and lots of other amazing early american antiques. The sign on the window said “by appointment only,” so don’t plan on just popping in this place.

The town bank, circa 1920.

When the Mr. and I came out of the general store building, we thought that we had seen all there was to look at. The shop owner told us there was more around back and boy was she right! We walked through the side yard and found this wonderful iron horse sculpture and old tin shed.

The Mr. wanted to take this pony and place him in our front yard!

Once we were inside, we were surprised to see less wacky general store type merchandise and more items that reflected a primitive, early american style. Most of the merch in this building was not tagged, so I’m guessing you’ve got to name your price with the shop owner. One item that I fell in love with was this early hobby horse…hmmm…I’m detecting a bit of a horse theme…

Great early american hobby horse, all hand painted and constructed from wood.

This photo reminds me a lot of my own kitchen! I love old baskets, firkins and any kind of early cupboard. This cupboard was probably the top half to a larger pantry. The firkin in the foreground is in excellent condition and I loved the two-toned paint. Firkins are very hard to find in the south…maybe because majority of them were destroyed during the civil war? If you’re looking for a firkin, my recommendation is to head to Pennsylvania where they seem to be at every antique show and shop. Anyway, this one was a really nice size but lacked a price tag.

Lookin’ for a firkin? Better grab this one because they are hard to find in Virginia!

This building was small, but packed full of small cupboards, chairs and other early american primitive antiques. I loved the color of this red cupboard sitting next to the dark green file cabinet.

One thing I look for with primitives is rich, dark colors!

Here’s another corner of the building…

Adorable white pantry and I love the feed sign!

So pick a pretty day and head to Doswell, VA where all of these wonderful items are waiting for you! You will feel as if you stepped back in time…and if you place your own penny on the train tracks and wait for a train to come by…you can make your very own Squashapenny!

Let me know if you visit and what you think!