Aren't these Montgomery Ward Color Connection teal teacups and saucers lovely?

I just recently listed 8 of these in our online shop and thought I would share them with you here.  The style is very reminiscent of Fiesta Ware but Color Connection was a house line of Montgomery Wards.  The teal is just so pretty.  If I had room for them at home, I'd be oh so tempted to keep them, especially with fall coming up.  These would be just perfect for some homemade cocoa.  Which I am looking forward to making with Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder...Mmmmmm.   They'd also be wonderful for a cup of soup! 

Artisan Spotlight: Toni Kelly of Sugar Cookie Dolls

Today we are featuring one of our favorite artisans in our shop, Toni Kelly of Sugar Cookie Dolls and her fabulous confections!



I started my business shortly after my grandma passed away and I inherited a vast collection of her costume jewelry, fabric, handbags, etc... Using my wonderful memories of my grandmother for inspiration, I began incorporating her belongings into whimsical creations. I named my business Sugar Cookie Dolls in honor of my grandma, Margaret Cooke Milam, aka: Cookie



Toni's Bit of Bliss... when someone tells me that my creations make them feel happy. That encourages me to continue spreading Happy Glittery Goodness to all.



For more insight, please visit my blog



You can also follow Toni on Twitter.

P.S. In honor of Waynesville's Chocolate Extravaganza this weekend, we will be giving away one of Toni's Truffle Fairies. Be sure to stop by before we close at 5pm on Sunday to put your name in!

Vintage Christmas Spotlight: Jello Molds

Today I thought I would share a few ideas on how you can use vintage Jello molds in your christmas decor. In the picture above you'll see that they make fabulous tea-light holders (or if you're feeling crafty, you can even make them into little candles). They reflect the soft light so well, adding to the coziness of your decor. Plus if you use an electric tea-light, you can nestle them among your garlands and decorations! These round ones also make the perfect ornament holder to showcase a special medium sized (3-4 inch) shiny brite bulb!




Propped on its side, it makes the perfect showcase for little gems like this spun cotton elf ornament...



Or a tiny plastic nativity like this one. You can be creative and make tiny little vignettes of some of your smallest vintage Christmas treasures that might otherwise be lost among your other decorations. Use a little bit of wax or display putty to hold it in place!




They also make a great base for your vintage (or reproduction) bottle-brush trees. Wouldn't it be a sweet way to greet your family and guests to the Christmas brunch with a tree at each place setting with their names attached on a pretty tag? You could nestle some batting, garland or a bit of tinsel at the base to make it even more festive!

Hearth Warming Holidays Vintage Spotlight: Christmas Trees

We've gotten all sorts of wonderful vintage Christmas goodies in the shop right now and we wanted to share some of them with you. Here are some of our various Christmas trees.



This Christmas tree is the one that took center stage in Mom's childhood Christmasses. It is laden down with all of our vintage handmade and plastic unbreakable ornaments (after all, we do have to crawl under it to plug/unplug the lights!). The tree skirt is a vintage find as are the great funky metal tree stands.



Mom got the inspiration for this display in the December 09 issue of Romantic Homes (such a great magazine!). You can easily replicate the look in your own home with some polyester or cotton batting. We got a huge bag of it down the street at the Fabric Shack. The centerpiece is a FABULOUS gold and white ceramic tree. It has its original red lightbulb which gives it a faint rosy glow. The little plastic bulbs are actually clear candle shapes with gold glitter. This mountainous tree presides over a village of vintage putz-style mica covered cardboard houses.



This great vintage aluminum tree is covered with old handmade beaded ornaments and is kept company by some of our other ceramic trees. It's skirt features feathers! Underneath is a round Christmas tablecloth. On the green patio table are some reproduction creamy bottle brush trees.



The tree on our Stickley Brothers desk is a new piece but we just love the frosted look of the branches. It is decked out with pieces of Steph's Jewels handmade jewelry, made by a talented local lady who uses pieces of vintage jewelry and findings to make great new creations. We've put a lot of our vintage pieces as well as some of our other handcrafted jewels, pocket mirrors and hair accessories around it.

Hearth Warming Holidays Sneak Peek!

Here is a sneak peek at some of the fabulous vintage baubles we've been busy putting out for our Hearth Warming Holidays Open House which goes on through Sunday. Here we've assembled oodles of beautiful aqua and blue vintage glass ornaments. Don't you just love the old stencilled ones from Shiny Brite or made in Poland?

Here we've got some of our pink vintage ornaments, accented with some of our vintage jewels. We've put some of our pink champagne glasses to good use holding some "baubly"!


Here we've got some of our greens and golds...the old wire basket lends a nice contrast for display.

On our chippy white dresser, we've raided the shop's shelves for pretty compotes and dishes to hold some of our more spectacular ornaments. Those in the hobnail Fenton tidbit (front and center) are unsilvered WWII finds!

David Schock of University of Dayton Finds Long Lost Martin Luther King Tape

David Schock from the family alma mater, the University of Dayton, was doing a documentary about UD's poet Dr. Martin,
who does a mean one-man show of Paul Lawrence Dunbar's poetry, when he stumbled across a tape from November 28th, 1964 when Martin Luther King Jr. came to speak at the University of Dayton in their Fieldhouse.

For more information and to listen to the actual speech, you can visit the article at the Dayton Daily News Website

Clara Estelle Wanted to Play Dress Up....

Unfortunately, she just didn't have the figure for these great vintage dresses!




Buy this pink dress on Etsy!






Buy this vintage pink Jeunesse New York dress on Etsy

Buy this Jack Clarke Irish Tailored Suit on Etsy!

Blissful Reading Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage Costume Jewelry

Mom and I have decided that we would like to start something new here on our blog. Beginning with this post we are going to share with you some of the books that we have looked at or read and enjoyed. These may be novels, collectible guides or decorating inspirations...whatever catches our fancy! These posts will be called Blissful Reading, in keeping with our wish to share Bits of Bliss with all of you!

The book that I am sharing with you today is by Carole Tanenbaum and is called Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage Costume Jewelry. It is illustrated throughout with truly scrumptious shots of the jewelry by Puzant Apkarian.


Buy this on Amazon!

This is a lovely survey of the topic, spanning the last one hundred years in costume jewelry. In this book, Tanenbaum takes you from the Victorian and Art Nouveau movements to modern pieces of the 21st century. In the beginning of each chapter, she introduces the period with background information on the world at that time and highlights the important aspects and characteristics of the period as well as its defining artisans. Throughout, she has picked fantastic pieces to illustrate each era and style and Apkarian has captured them in equally fantastic shots. If you have ever tried to photograph a piece of jewelry you will certainly appreciate his skill.

While I would not recommend this as the sole piece of reference for a serious collector of a particular period, Mom and I do heartily recommend it to anyone who is fascinated by this subject and appreciates beautiful things. This is a beginning point in your reference library on the subject and is a lovely read as well. This book is equally at home on your shelves or your table and can be a real pick-me-up read (or browse) on a dreary day.

Clara Estelle Plays Dress Up

Clara Estelle has been at it again! Here are a few pics...Enjoy!

Clara Estelle's New Looks

Well we've gotten a number of hats in the shop and Clara Estelle just couldn't help herself, she just had to try them on! We thought we would share some pictures with you. Doesn't she just look so lovel? She is always quite the lady and so fashionable as I am sure you will agree!

CPSIA and Trendy Bindi's Boutique

In order to be compliant with the new regulations, Trendy Bindi's Boutique will no longer be able to offer any of our handcrafted baby or children's items. The artisans that we work with create adorable one of a kind items, often with vintage components, like the tablecloth dresses or pillowcase dresses. We will no longer be able to sell our sweet booties. Additionally, the popular line of baby and toddler apparel, hand-embroidered with designs from vintage transfers, will no longer be available.



These and our other handcrafted children's items will be taken from the shelves before we open for business on February 10th. Due to the one of a kind nature of these items and the fact that these artisans are small business cottage industry entrepreneurs they can no longer afford to remain in the business of creating handcrafted items for children under 13.



All other items in our shop are either handcrafted or vintage collectibles intended for adult use only. We will not knowingly be able to sell to anyone under 13 years of age or to someone who intends to give any of our merchandise to a child. If you should purchase something and give it to a child under 13 please be aware that you accept all legal ramifications. We accept no responsibility. If necessary, children under 13 will no longer be allowed in our shop.

This is not something that we wish to do, however this is something that we must do in order to be above board and compliant with the new CPSIA regulations. We really hate to do this because one of the greatest joys of owning our shop has been being able to help introduce the next generation to beautiful handcrafted and vintage items, helping a child pick out a gift for a parent or their own special treasures. Sadly, we will no longer be able to help you create that cottagey haven in your nurseries.

For more information on the CPSIA please look at our earlier postings.

The CPSIA Regulations and How it Affects YOU!

We here at Trendy Bindi's Boutique LLC are proud to be taking part in a national day of blogging to spread the word about the impending CPSIA regulations. Many thanks to Chichibouilie (blog)and Winklepots (blog)for their time and effort putting this together. They like so many others are being deeply affected by this law. If you are here reading this you are most likely will be affected in some way or another as well.

CPSIA and YOU!!!
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html
To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

A Vintage Christmas Tree: Shimmering Ceramics

If you live in a small space where you just can't fit a real tree (using the term in a relative sense) a great alternative is a collectible vintage ceramic tree. They are also a great item to collect. You can scatter them around a room or group on a table, buffet or mantle for more impact.

One of the most popular manufacturers was Atlantic Mold. Because they were sold as molds there is a wide variety not only of shapes and sizes but also of different color combinations. White, aqua and pink tend to be the most highly prized, particularly when it is accented with gold. The trees generally come in two ceramic pieces. There is the tree itself and then a base that hides the light and often a music box.

One of the niftiest things about these little ceramic trees are the little plastic "bulbs" that you can put on them. They light up in the same manner as a light-up house but with little holes that you can plug up with these little clear plastic bulbs. They come in an array of colors and such different shapes as bows, holly, birds (these are one of the more common shapes), flowers, etc and toppers like angels and stars. Some even are glittery! Because they are collectible too, don't despair if you find a tree you love that does not have bulbs, it might take a little work (they sometimes are a little harder to find), but you should be able to find replacements. Plus, you can pick out whatever ones you like best with your tree.

These trees depending on size and glaze, bulbs (which are collected themselves) and the nature of the base range from the easily affordable $15-$20 range to close to $200 for a more spectacular tree. Of course this is a loose range. But an inexpensive tree might make a great gift for someone in a dorm.


Right now we have four different ceramic trees. None of ours are musical but we do have some really nifty ones.

First of all we have a rather traditional and more common plain green tree on a wreath design base by Atlantic Mold. It is decorated with little multi-colored bird bulbs.



This second tree is actually rather unusual because it is so tiny. Its mini bulbs are even more minute than on a standard ceramic tree. Its white color makes it even better.



Finally, we have our two best finds. The little white one is great with its pale green, almost aqua accents. It is lacking bulbs but I think that it would look lovely with some of the same bulbs as on our best tree, the large craggy white with gold accents. It has clear twisted bulb shaped bulbs with gold glitter inside. There are one or two on the tree but the others are squirrelled away in a little bag attached to the cord. It has a vintage large red bulb inside that gives it a pinkish look when lit.

A Vintage Christmas Tree: Jewel Brites, Glitter and Glue

In addition to those great vintage glass Shiny Brite type ornaments, there are some other great non-glass vintage ornaments out there that will help to brighten up your vintage Christmas theme. There are all sorts of great handmade ornaments like the little glittered and sometimes decoupaged styrofoam ball ornaments, those great beaded and sequined old satin kit ornaments, egg shell ornaments and felt ones...whatever the muse led someone to create.

There are also a number of ornaments made by a company called Jewel Brite which just capture the whimsical nature of a midcentury Christmas quite like them. They specialized in 3D scenic ornaments. They come in a range of designs like lanterns and tear-dropped with all sorts of different items inside. There are nativity and town scenes, poinsettias, spun cotton angels, snowmen and santas. Many of which are just darling.

Take a peak at our vintage tree (it was the one Mom's parents used when she was growing up) bedecked with a variety of vintage ornaments.










Here are some more great vintage ornaments, in particular some fantastic beaded ones, on our vintage aluminum tree.

A Vintage Christmas Tree: Shiny Brites and Baubles

One of the essentials to any vintage-inspired Christmas is the tree and its ornaments. There is something about the old glass ornaments especially that adds such a cozy note to your tree. We have just gotten a bunch of "new" ones in...and just in time too because our little gold tree was definitely beginning to get that Charlie Brown look to it. As we have started our business and continued to acquire vintage treasures for it we have come to realize that there are just so many different types.

However, as you can see it is quite full again now. I think we might have to see about finding another metal tree. (We are both too scared to put them out on a regular tree...it would be our luck we'd brush against it and send them all to the floor.)










One of my personal favorites that I could not part with is a little geisha girl ornament from the 20s-30s. She is just so sweet in her pale blue and pink and I love the little touches of glitter here and there on here. She is unmarked and while I have researched and tried to identify her I have not yet found one like her. Mom has been worse than me. There have been a number of stencilled glass ball ornaments that she has been unable to part with. One in particular that we both thought was just the neatest thing was an Italian teardrop Santa face with a little mini red glass bulb nose.