Dianne's always cooking up something new

The boat galley-style kitchen in my condo makes a kitchenalia collection out of the question for me unless I dangle everything from the ceiling! I do have a wonderful little enamel saucepan my mom left me, a 1950s apron from my aunt, and a couple of cast iron skillets I bought from Susantiques, a dealer in Aloha, OR, but that's pretty much the extent of my collecting.

Still, I love reading and learning about gadgets used in old-time kitchens, so I've found Dianne Zweig's Kitsch 'n Stuff blog irresistible. Plus, she provides valuable information links, so I can pursue topics and learn even more about them. Her current post is about, literally, sniffing out bargains and how to get rid of musty, funky odors in otherwise desirable items.

She has a website, too, at CDianneZweig.com and a collection of choice finds at the Collinsville Antiques Company in New Hartford. She writes books on collectibles, such as her latest, the second edition of "Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Beyond." And she edits Iantiqueonline.com, the antique dealers' and collectors' social network.

So if you're intrigued with anything about kitchens, you've got to get acquainted with Dianne!

Brimfield: the pickings don't get any better than this

Ever since I first heard about Brimfield, the giant flea market/picker's paradise held every year in Brimfield, Massachusetts, I've had a craving to go see it for myself. It's so big, it's held in three separate sessions during the summer.

One look at the determined look on the faces of

these opening-day Brimfield fans, and you just want

to step aside and avoid being trampled! Photo: Collector's Weekly

Collector's Weekly just published an article, "Forget the TV Pickers, Meet the Real Mavericks of the Antiques World" about Brimfield and the gritty life of the professional antiques dealer that's a must-read for anyone who wants to go (like me) or just wants deep background about this phenomenal show. 

The article also profiles writer Maureen Stanton and her new book about Brimfield, "Killer Stuff and Tons of Money." Parade Magazine calls it “An intoxicating read that rips away the lace curtain from the antiques biz.”

And, by the way, if you're already dreaming, like me, of making it to one of next year's shows, here are the dates: May 14-19, July 9-14 and September 3-8. Maybe I'll see you there!

Witches' Night Out in Enumclaw

This is one of those holiday season kickoff ideas that tickles me, and I just had to share it. Sharon Tuggle (yes, rhymes with Muggle) in Enumclaw, WA came up with a concept for bringing folks into town for an evening of fun that hopefully will include a bit of shopping: Witches' Night Out. The poster tells it all. Just wish I could be there for the contest for "Best Witch's Cackle!" Enumclaw is known as the "Gateway to the Crystal Mountain Area" and there's a sizeable antique row in town, including Sharon's store, Porter Antiques & Trading Co.

42,000 Digital Guides...and counting!

For 24 years, antique shoppers have been walking into stores with copies of Cochran's Collector's Guide in their hands. But today, as shoppers evolve into the Digital Age, a customer could be carrying an iPhone or other mobile device with the store's location, map and information on the screen. And she may be coming in for a specific type of item the store specializes in, thanks to Cochran's new search capabilities.

Cochran's has always been on the leading edge; we launched our website containing the entire Guide in 1996. As antique shoppers have begun adopting mobile technology, we saw the need to make a Guide downloadable to aid in their pursuit. Whatever application you have to view and read Adobe Acrobat™ files, simply use the "Find" function to locate the store, or item that interests you.

We crunched the latest numbers and found that nearly 42,000 people have downloaded the digital version of the 2012 Cochran's Collector's Guide on their computers, laptops, iPads, iPhones and other tablets and smartphones (just in the last 12 months). In August alone, 9,681 downloads were recorded. Add to that the 100,000 who carry and refer to the hardcopy Guide and you get an idea how many people are referring to the Guide.

The digital Guide is searchable, so you can look up whatever specific items you are seeking, and find a list of stores carrying that item, i.e. Victorian furniture or vintage fashions. Below is what the screen looks like when you use Acrobat's search function to look up "dolls."


Remember that the key word here is "download," on your iPad, iPhone or other such device. We're still researching ways to make the undownloaded online version efficiently searchable, but for now, the process would be much too onerously slow for the average user.

Three times a year, Magnolia Antiques and Home Interiors in Carmichael, CA opens their spacious parking lot for the very popular Magnolia Outdoor Marketplace, from 8am to 3pm. Admission is free, there are lots of vendors providing shaded booths for their wares and you never know what you'll find.

The next Marketplace will be the 31st of March, 2013, and again Sunday May 26 and Sunday, September 22. Mark your calendar!

And visit Magnolia when you're near Sacramento, to see their beautiful furnishings and accents. Or you can go right now to their website  for a preview. Each dealer has an individual gallery of photos for your perusal.

Here's a preview to get you started...

You get more than 800 chances to find what you're looking for...or to experience that serendipitous moment when you find what you didn't KNOW you were looking for...at the Long Beach Antique & Collectible Flea Market Sunday, Sept. 16. That's in Long Beach, California.

How much space do 800 sellers take? More than 20 acres. Be sure and take your walking shoes. Drive the 405 Freeway to Lakewood Blvd. North, turn right on Lakewood Blvd to Conant St, turn right again, and you're there!

Admission is $5, but you can show your Cochran's Collector's Guide (Pg 15) and they'll knock off fifty cents.

This outstanding show (called "Best in the US" by Good Housekeeping Magazine, is held the third Sunday of every month, plus a couple of special sales on April 29 and Sept. 30 (so you get two chances this month to score that special find!)

Get a taste of what you're in for at their website, www.LongBeachAntiqueMarket.com. Which is the source of these photos.

Antiques in the Streets of Albany, OR

We love festive antique street fairs, and today's 15th Annual Antiques in the Streets fair in downtown Albany, OR, looks like an awesome one. A traditional pancake breakfast, live music by the Main Street Band, all those fascinating finds...what's not to love? Get more details at their web page.