Vintages is Los Gatos' #1 Antique Shop ... again

For the fourth straight year, Vintages has been voted as the Best Antique Shop in Los Gatos. Thanks to all of you who voted for us, shopped with us and recommended us to your friends.

Felix Doolittle's Amazing Bookplates

We just got back from the National Stationery Show in NYC where we ordered a dozen designs of bookplates made by the amazing watercolor artist Felix Fu. Felix Fu is an artist and visual storyteller who was born and raised in Hong Kong. Now living and working in Newton, Massachusetts, Felix creates tiny watercolors that capture the joy, beauty and essence of life. Charming and whimsical, his images have a nostalgic feeling that reminds one of a simpler, more magical time. Perhaps it is the flavor of the English influence in Hong Kong blended with New England tradition and a dash of child-like enthusiasm. Felix Doolittle stationery is unlike any other - each piece is like a miniature work of art.

Bookplates have been around for centuries. They have evolved through family crests and personal coats-of-arms to whimsical statements and verse. Felix Doolittle bookplates, like Felix' artwork, harken to times when we pasted a label on the inside cover of our prized books, letting anyone who perused the volume know that the book was mine! I guess I am still old-school. While I am content to read the "newspaper" and my news online, I like to hold a real book, curl up on a couch in the family room or lounge chair under the shade of a tree and enjoy the stories and adventures conjured up by my favorite authors.

The bookplates should be in stock soon, but we couldn't wait to show them to you. Feast on the images, and email us if you want to be notified when they arrive ... or come by when they are in stock. These are all printed on premium self-adhesive, acid-free paper stock. They measure 2.03" x 2.85". These little works of art are sold individually for $2.25 each. Here are some of our selections.

New Creative Offerings Handmade by Susan

Susan has really been feeling her creative muse lately and has created a couple of new lines of pendants and magnets. These are examples of her newly created pendants and charms. As with all of the pendants Handmade by Susan, they come with your choice of coordinating ribbon or cord and we will put it in a gift box or a lovely colorful organza bag.

Susan will also create custom pieces for you. Just ask.

These come in a variety of sizes and are priced from $12.95 to $24.95 depending on size and design.

Above is Susan's latest line of magnets. These are wonderful images, with thoughtful or whimsical sayings ... and they make ideal gifts. The square tiles are about 2-inches and are priced at $9.95 each. The watch faces will vary in size and are also priced at $9.95 each.

These are not yet online, so call or email us if you see something you would like. Better yet, come on in and see the entire selection. Most of these are one-of-a-kind, and while they may be "duplicated", they are always "different" because they are each handmade.

Bookbinding Kit

Have you ever thought about making your own bound book from scratch? Here is your chance. In the spirit of handmade wares and a near-forgotten craft, this bookbinding kit not only offers a journal to fill with words and scribblings, but also teaches the art of bookbinding by hand.

The kit includes: 1 length of thread, 1 bookbinder's needle, 2 linen binding tapes, 10 4-page signatures (40 pages), 1 instruction booklet and 1 sheet of illustrated steps printed upon vintage paper which also serves as the inside wrapping. Final book measures 4-1/2 inches tall by 3 inches wide.

Glue is not included, but wheat paste is easily created by combining one part flour to four parts of hot water. Bleached flour is best to use. The sewing process of bookbinding is the first step to master in making a sound book and there is a nice video available below to illustrate how to make this book. 

We have these kits in stock priced at $32.95 each.

 

 

Handmade Leather Mini-Books, Necklaces and Key Chains

You know how I love miniatures ... and miniature books in particular. I was blown away by these little leather books made in Philadelphia, all by hand using reclaimed materials.

The artisans explain their books in this way: These miniature books are made using archival insides and vintage outsides. Inside you'll find line-free strathmore drawing paper - thick, hand-torn and hand-stitched acid-free pages that work perfectly with ink, pens both thick and superfine, pencil, charcoal and myriad other mediums. The book's covers are made using handpicked scraps and worn leather, cut to fit the appropriate size. The leather has been bartered from farms in Ecuador, ripped from old chairs in Holland, taken from boots and shoes and saddles and bags and wallets, and found in abandoned houses across the United States. They are scavenged from dumpsters and flea markets and yard sales all over the world and every book is made by hand, so no book will ever have an exact duplicate.

This is a tiny artist book, perfect for the detailed renderer or the writer of very short stories. Each journal comes completely blank, awaiting your imaginative entries. They are hand bound and covered in reclaimed leather. Size: 1 1/4" high x 1" wide with 42 sheets (84 pages). Priced at $49.95 each.

The book necklaces and key chains are also made from the same materials and they hang from either a 19” long gunmetal chain or a brass key chain. The books are just as usable as the one that is not on a chain. We have these in two book sizes: a small, 5/8" high book with 30 sheets (60 pages), priced at $49.95 each, and a medium, 7/8" high book with 42 sheets (84 pages), priced at $52.95 each.

Spice Tin Angels

Remember those old spice tins? They were cool ... and now they are gone! But creative folk artists have been resurrecting them in a variety of creative ways ... reincarnating this little tin cans as the centerpiece in various folk art pieces. We found these little spice tin angels with ruler legs, wooden wings and spice tin bodies all held together by hand twisted wire. Simply fantastic!

We have these little hand made masterpieces priced at $79.95 each. Get them while they last!

Creative Inspirational Metal Art by Jendala

We just received our first shipment of these wonderful metal art pieces that are created by Northern California metal artist Jennifer Utsch. She envisioned Jendala art from her strong belief that there is a connection between creativity, the environment and universal growth. These inspiring pieces are handcrafted locally from salvaged and reclaimed materials. Jennifer: "I design and create all my products using the hand torch. All metal is reclaimed, mostly from sheet metal and steel cans. I then paint and assemble each piece with beads and bells selected from sustainable cooperatives in India and Indonesia."

We fell for these wonderful ornaments, magnet boards and key chains because of their wonderful colors, rustic shapes and inspirational messages. Hope you love them too!

Key Chains • $9.95 each

Affirmation Chimes and Ornament Bells from $14.95 each

Meow & Woof! Key Chains, Ornament Bells and Magnet Boards