Here is a fun Q&A we had with Doug:

How did you get into vintage?
I was born and raised in Chicago and I was always into collecting vintage things when I was growing up. At a very young age I collected stickers, beer cans and as I grew up I collected vintage clothing, used albums and even worked for a used book store that sold antiques, too.

How long have you been a dealer? Do you work alone?
In the 1980s, I was a picker in Chicago. I went to the University of Iowa and I used to go to farm auctions before Ebay. I would bring treasures back and sell them to collectors, dealers, photographers, and designers. I was a professional photographer in Chicago and I used junking to supplement my income. In the 1990s I took a corporate job, but I realized that I didn’t enjoy the corporate path, so I returned to my true love with was hunting for treasures. I have been a picker my whole life!

What would you say your specialty as a dealer is?
My specialty is reclaimed treasures from the past. Therefore, the company name is Vintage Rust. I enjoy industrial, farm primitive, and americana past treasures. American history such as the machinist era, and pieces that bring back America’s past is what I love.

What is your dream vintage score?
My dream vintage scores are pieces with stories from where they came from. For example, a “game of chance wheel” that came from a old carnival or a industrial piece that came from an old garage in Chicago, etc. Treasures with stories.

Do you collect some specific things for your own home?
I am not a collector. I know that’s rare in this business, but I try not to get attached to physical objects. I enjoy them for a while and then I sell them.

Any vintage shopping tips?
My vintage shopping tip is only buy what you love! Never buy things because you think you can make a buck.

How do you like to unwind?
I unwind with my wife and 2 Golden Retriever dogs. Fly fishing, traveling on the road for stuff and eating at great places.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
I love Portland. I have so many favorite places to eat. I am a foodie at heart. I love Toro Bravo, Screen Door, Pok Pok and Podnah’s Pit. My favorite place to shop is Stars & Spendid and Monticello antiques malls.

What is your perfect winter day?
My perfect winter day is fly fishing with my wife in one of Oregon’s rivers for Winter Steelhead and then, if the fish aren’t biting, finding some farmer who has stuff to sell!

Thanks, Doug & Connie!

Stop by Splendid to see dealer #52, VINTAGE RUST!

We love the way that Star Antiques customer, Kat James of Bluevine Studio, styled this lamp for one of the Signature Suites at the wonderful Heathman Hotel in downtown Portland. She took a mini encyclopedia set toped with an antique desk lamp that she found from the same booth at Stars. It’s just a beautiful use of things found at Stars.

Thanks, Kat! We love your style.

CREDITS
Design by: Kat James of Bluevine Studio, Portland Oregon
Books and lamp from: Stars Antique Mall, Portland Oregon
Bell Jar & Corbel by: Restoration Hardware
Custom Shelf: HBB Fine Furniture Studio, Portland Oregon
Photography by: John Valls

How did you get into vintage?
I have been fond of the Victorian era, collecting pictures and watching old movies. The one in particular was Gone with the Wind. I just loved the dresses the Ladies were wearing.

What is your favorite era?
My favorite era is 1890 – 1930’s.

What is your dream vintage score?
My dream vintage score? STILL LOOKING!

Is there a vintage score that got away?
I always have disappointments when things are out of my budget!

Are there other collectors in your household?
My Mom loves dishes and my sister is always looking for books.

Any vintage shopping tips?
Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
Favorite places to eat: Baja Fresh (any location in Portland & Beaverton), Papa Haydn in (Milwaukie), Marcos (Garden Home) & Dessert – Roses (Sherwood). And, of course, Starbucks for coffee.

What is your perfect summer day?
75 to 80 degrees, sunny and a cool breeze blowing.

Thanks, Laurie!

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

How did you get into vintage?
Let’s see I decided I wanted to live life like a girl growing up in this country in the 1960s time period (I was born in 1971). I started reading Nancy Drew books and collecting Barbie simultaneously about 1999 when eBay started out

A few things you particularly love to collect?
My favorite era is 1967, specifically. I like the “Carnaby Street” fashions and Petula Clark, The Supremes, Peggy March, Connie Francis and Lesley Gore.

What is your dream vintage score?
Finding Barbie dolls from 1967 with outfits!

Is there a vintage score that got away?
Yes at the Antique Expo a “Little Black Sambo” illustrated book from 1909 that was only $5 got literally grabbed just before I grabbed it!

Any vintage shopping tips?
Yes, become friends with store employees and managers and give them your want lists and phone number!

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
Stars Antiques, Powell’s, Billy Galaxy and the Disney Store in Clackamas.

What is your perfect summer day?
Country Time lemonade and a Lindsay Lohan movie with my vintage Uneeda baby-doll and stuffed tiger!

Thanks, Amriel!

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

How did you get into vintage?
I guess I am vintage–LOL! Also, I grew up in a household with my great-grandmother—a real privilege. I developed an appreciation of things from another time that way.

A few things you particularly love to collect?
I love the toys of my own childhood—the 60s. My main collection is of Art Clokey’s clay animated character, Gumby, but I also like children’s books, toys and halloween items from the Victorian era onward.

What is your dream vintage score?
I would love a Green Ghost game.

Is there a vintage score that got away?
I’m from the L.A. area and once we walked the entire toy and collectible show at Veteran’s Stadium in Long Beach only to accidentally set down a bag full of Gumby items and leave them somewhere! I hope whoever found them enjoys them! Haha!

Are there other collectors in your household?
My husband collects vintage space toys and robots. My son collects trading cards of his era (Pokemon, etc).

Any vintage shopping tips?
Bundle! When at estate or yard sales, you will get more for your money than if you walk up with a single item.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
Cosmic Monkey Comics, Annie’s Donuts in the Parkrose district and Things from Another World.

What is your perfect summer day?
My perfect summer day would be spent browsing a nice air-conditioned collectible shop!

Thanks, Bren!

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

“It is good to go with a budget and stick to it. Keep an open mind as to what you might find as sometimes an object is meant for you and will catch your eye. If it’s something you really have a good feeling for, then buy it. You will regret it otherwise. Above all, just enjoy the fun!”
–shopping tips from Cheryl Frampton, Stars Antiques customer

How did you get into vintage?
My grandparents, aunt and uncle all owned stores opposite Windsor Castle in England from when I was a young girl. One of my aunts owned a lovely antique store down a very small cobbled street in Windsor. The store was named “Nell Gwyn’s”. Nell Gwyn was the mistress of Henry the VIII and there was a tunnel that ran from Windsor Castle to the store where Nell Gwen once lived. Obviously, that had all been bricked up, but I remember being taken down there and seeing where that connection once was. I guess my fascination with antiques and things of the past developed from there.

Even my engagement ring had to come from an antique store. I just have this ability to pick things up and feel an energy with that object. I wonder where it came from? Who owned it? How did they get it? What sort of home did it live in? To me, a vintage or antique piece is never just another collectors item or something to collect for money alone. I look at old photographs and wonder about those people and their connections and I’m just fascinated by it all.

History was the only subject I actually loved and excelled in. My grandparents also lived in India prior to opening their stores during the second World War, they had amazing collection of antiques from India, so once again this fascinated me, more than any modern day collections.

A few things you particularly love to collect?
It is not so much a favorite era as such, as I am not keen on Victorian decor or anything too pompous, grand or over the top. I much prefer the Shaker style—simple and distressed look. However, I have just started to collect old kitchen tins from around the 1930s and do love the 1930s and 40s for that, so I guess that would be one of my favorite eras.

It also depends on what I am collecting at the time. I love to collect old vintage cards, photographs and use them for collages or gifts to others. Right now in my own home I have displays with some of the old pics attached to vases, jugs, mugs—any display I feel will benefit from that look. I love old children shoes, and intend to buy them and white wash them myself and add some old family pics or cards. Right now I am seeing a lot of vintage bingo cards being used for display purposes, like in old picture frames.

What is your dream vintage score?
I would love to find a collection of 1930s perfume bottles in the blue cut class that my auntie once owned. I am not sure where they originated from and I have kept an eye open, but have yet to find them anywhere. I guess it would help if I knew the designer, but I only know it was around the 1930s and they were a limited edition.

Is there a vintage score that got away?
Just the other day I was snooping around a new antiques store in Oregon City. Not all the dealers were set up and there was an amazing wrought Iron Clothes Rack, in cream—almost a shabby chic look. It has a rack for shoes and had small birds attached to the rack, in perfect form. It would have worked perfectly in our new home! Our new house did not have a coats cupboard so this would not only have looked good and gone with my style of design, but done a jolly good job. I hesitated because I had recently spent so much. The house we have moved into is double the size of the small cottage in Lake Oswego we were in.

I had only driven a few blocks and decided to go back and guess what? It has just been sold. I could have kicked myself, having not seen anything like that before. Here I was—always being the one to advise others that if you see something you like and can afford it, BUY IT!—and there was me not following my own advice.

Are there other collectors in your household?
I would like to say yes, but my husband is a hoarder given the chance more than a collector. He cannot throw anything away without thinking there might be a use for it one day. Luckily I am not like that so faded shirts, socks with holes, old magazines, etc all get recycled in a manner of fashion. Having said that he, does like his English music magazine, Mojo, and has been collecting them for many years. Before we moved to the USA, I took a few dozen down to the local shop, thinking nothing of it, but it turns out there were a few collectors magazine amongst them. Now, that is the one thing I don’t throw out so easily.

Any vintage shopping tips?
1. It is good to go with a budget and stick to it. 2. Keep an open mind as to what you might find as sometimes an object is meant for you and will catch your eye. 3. If it’s something you really have a good feeling for, then buy it. You will regret it otherwise. 4. Above all, just enjoy the fun.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
Oh, I would have to say Sellwood and Milwaukie for sure. When we first move to Portland, and knew no one, we lived in John’s Landing and would walk to both places. I came across Stars Antique Mall and that was it—IN LOVE hook line and sinker. Most of my favorite shops are in this area and there are wonderful quirky places to eat and quaint pubs. Parts of this area remind of the village I lived in back in the UK, so I guess that helps with my attraction to the place.

What is your perfect summer day?
Now you are going to find this strange, but I do not like summer. If it’s around 70 degrees—that’s fine, but over that, no thank you. A hot summer day would find me in air-conditioned places and praying for the fall to arrive. Don’t all shout at me at once, but seriously, my perfect day would be walking in the fresh air amongst the falling leaves. Junk shop and antique hunting, break for coffee, then finding a small pub with a roaring fire. I have loved those days as long as I can remember and can always get warm. Nothing beats going home to a warm place, fire and glass of wine or two and looking at your treasures. The only thing about summer that I do like is the beautiful gardens and feeling that I have more time in the evenings to get things organized.

Thanks, Cheryl!

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

“My husband and I live with our 3 year old son in a 1907 farmhouse in SE Portland. We LOVE old things, and our home is an eclectic mix of both vintage and new items. Our house is peppered with vintage gnomes, old books, terrariums made from interesting old glass containers, marbles and lots of old kitchen ware…mainly Fire King and Pyrex.”
–Sarah Ivy, a wonderful Stars Antiques customer

How did you get into vintage?
When I was around 14-15 years old, I was wandering through a little antique shop with my mom. Going in those shops was a new thing for us, we went in on a lark. I spied a really fantastic mug. It was really thick and the loveliest foamy green. I bought it for a few bucks out of my allowance and took it home. Turns out that it was Fire King jade-ite. And thus my obsession was born.

A few things you particularly love to collect?
My primary weakness is vintage kitchenware, particularly Fire King and Pyrex. I love the style and functionality of old glassware from the 30′s to the 60′s and I like to collect beautiful but practical things I can put to use. Both my husband and I love books, so they’re pretty much tucked everywhere around the house. I’ve also got a fairly nice old marble collection. Oh, and I have a little gnome problem, they seem to always follow me home.

I’ve been accused of collecting animals, but I think one dog, four cats, and ten chickens is entirely reasonable.

What is your dream vintage score?
I daydream about wandering into a thrift shop and finding a full set of Fire King tulip or polka dot bowls.

Is there a vintage score that got away?
YES. Last year I saw a beautiful red Catherine Holm lotus plate out at the coast. It was really reasonably priced, but I walked out of the shop without it (don’t ask me why, I was apparently feeling cheap that afternoon). I spent the next month obsessing and feeling incredibly foolish for not just grabbing it. Of course it was gone when I finally got back.

Are there other collectors in your household?
Not when it comes to antiques, but my husband has an awful lot of music equipment and robot parts. His collections aren’t quite as aesthetically pleasing as mine, but they definitely have high entertainment value.

Any vintage shopping tips?
I don’t know if it’s a tip, exactly, but my main rule for myself is to not buy broken items, no matter the rarity or my desire. It helps me keep my “stuff” at a manageable level. I’ve also finally figured out that for me, it’s not about having a ton of something, it’s about hunting for those really nice examples and displaying them well. Less is more and all that.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
I love Sellwood, we always like to stop in and grab lunch at the Limelight (those fries!) in addition to the excellent antiquing. (editor’s note: those fries are so good and addictive–we agree!)Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time in my own neighborhood, Foster Powell. It’s really starting to change and develop in a fantastic way and it feels great to get out on foot or by bike and support local businesses making a go of it. A delicious brunch at Bar Carlo or a beer at NWIPA is always a treat.

What is your perfect summer day?
Not too hot, a morning at home with my husband and son, a fun but low key adventure out at a Portland park, library, or local event, then a simple but great pitstop somewhere for lunch. Finish up with a good cocktail and homecooked dinner at home, probably accompanied by porch time with some of our many lovely neighbors.

Thanks, Sarah!

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

How did you get into vintage?
I have always loved vintage for as long as I can remember. There is something special about vintage and its fun to imagine the life of an item–where it came from, and who may have owned the piece, did it have one owner or was it passed down for several generations in a family, and my own memories associated with certain items.

A few things you particularly love to collect?
I don’t really have a favorite era – its more about the piece. My favorite vintage items to collect are wire baskets, cobalt blue glass, glass bowls, tin containers and jewelry!

What is your dream vintage score?
Finding a unique vintage piece that I have never seen before–for a great price!

Is there a vintage score that got away?
Yes—there have been many. Sometimes you come across something that you fall in love with but you just can’t justify spending the money at the time.

Are there other collectors in your household?
No, but I think my girls will grow up to appreciate vintage because they have gone on many shopping trips with me.

Any vintage shopping tips?
Take your time! Enjoy the thrill of the find – don’t race through the shop. Vintage shops are usually full and if you don’t really look close you will miss something! Go back often – vendors are always adding to their items.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
Of course Stars is one of my favorite shops and I love Monticello Antique Marketplace on Stark and Lincoln City’s Antique Store!

What is your perfect summer day?
A perfect summer day would be plenty of sunshine, a lunch out, and a leisurely stroll through any kind of vintage shop!

Thanks, Jo Dee!

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

“I’m not even sure what these are, but they hang in my dining room and I am IN LOVE with them! I initially only bought two, but when I got them home I realized three would look better, so I ran back to Stars Antiques to by the 3rd one. They echo the three windows on the opposite wall of my dining room. Whenever I have people over, they always comment on how beautiful they are. I look at them every night when I eat dinner and could not be happier with them.”
–Jen Cavanagh, a lovely Stars Antiques customer

How did you get into vintage?
I loved everything in my grandmother’s house. I still have a lot of her things in my home to this day. I think it makes me nostalgic, and brings back great memories of growing up in the house right next door to my grandparents.

A few things you particularly love to collect?
I love bone china teacups! I am always on the hunt for a design different from what I have.

What is your dream vintage score?
I just bought an old Hoosier from a friends mom. It needs a total renovation and I can’t wait to do it!

Is there a vintage score that got away?
An old trumpet! I saw it at a yard sale and immediately regretted not getting it. By the time I went back it was gone

Are there other collectors in your household?
No, I don’t think my husband could handle another collector!

Any vintage shopping tips?
Always look at things for what they could be used for instead of what they were previously used for.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
My favorite store on the planet is STARS, no question! My husband and I love trying new places to eat. We love breakfast, so some of our favorites are Screen Door, Zell’s Cafe and Genie’s Cafe.

What is your perfect summer day?
I love getting up early and going yard saling in the summer. I think it’s a great way to explore new neighborhoods. Cap that off with lunch at a cafe and a relaxing night around the firepit and I’m a happy woman.

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

How did you get into vintage?
I’ve always loved old things but I really started collecting about 12 years ago when a friend and I opened our country store. Our store was primitive country (we closed the store in Dec. of 2011) and I fell in love with that look.

What is your favorite era? A few things you particularly love to collect?
I am crazy for quilts and I’ve gotten several from Stars. As far as I’m concerned you can never have too many crocks or too much pewter. My husband told someone this weekend that we live in “the house of ill repewter” and that he wasn’t sure if the floor could hold all of the weight of anymore crocks! Isn’t he clever? I love wooden kitchen tools and firkins. My new thing is old flour and sugar sacks. I just love the artwork on them.

What is your dream vintage score?
My dream vintage score is when I find a beautiful quilt that is priced so low I can’t walk away from it. I just love to imagine who it belonged to and how it was used. That really gets my heart pumping!

Is there a vintage score that got away?
I did let an Amish quilt get away that I mourned over for quite a while. “Never hesitate” is my motto now!

Are there other collectors in your household?
My husband also collects. He collects antique fly fishing items and they’re a little harder to find, but he actually does find things at Stars now and then. When he scores he’s really excited!

Any vintage shopping tips?
The only tips I have when shopping: Buy only what you love and to heck with what anyone else thinks. If it speaks to you, buy it if you can afford it and like I said before, Don’t Hesitate–you will be sorry later!

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
My husband and I are regulars at Stars and we spend hours there when we come. We grab a coffee at Starbucks and sometimes we are at the Stars malls for 4 or 5 hours. We only stop for a quick lunch! We also like Antique Alley in Hollywood district if we have enough energy left after we visit you. We spend most of our free weekends visiting different areas that have antique shops–we’re addicted!

What is your perfect summer day?
My perfect summer day is (if it’s not too hot) working in my yard. It’s my “therapy”! There’s nothing better than seeing the things you’ve planted come to life every year. Hours can go by before I’m even aware of it.

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

“We look at our collections of items and call ourselves the caretakers of these tins and seed boxes, signs and primitives until the time comes they go to the next caretaker’s home.”–Marilyn Ryan

Our first customer collection comes from Marilyn and James Ryan. They have serious dedication in building their fun, extensive collections! Here’s what Marilyn had to say:

How did you get into vintage?
Our original collecting started with pre-1950 Coca Cola advertising since my husband worked for and retired from the company in Yakima after 38 years. Once we started to sell our collection, the walls became bare and we decided to blend our remaining coca cola advertising with country store items and primitives. We’ve really enjoyed the networking and meeting people who also collect this kind of advertising and have made a whole new world of great friends and shared experiences with them.

What is your favorite era?
Pre 1950′s.

A few things you particularly love to collect?
My flower seed boxes are at the top of my list, then we have a wonderful Hires root beer collection, some one of a kind pieces, Amocat advertising (Tacoma spelled backwards), Golden West advertising, and other WA/OR advertising coffee and spice tins and signs.

What is your dream vintage score?
We been lucky to find 2 trolley signs for Golden West, an Amocat trolley sign and a great, rare 1920′s Kay menuboard. Actually, we’ve had several great scores that we love.

Is there a vintage score that got away?
There’s always one that got away but not without our trying hard to get it first.

Are there other collectors in your household?
Both my husband and I love the hunt of finding our next great treasure.

Any vintage shopping tips?
Finding the unusual and truly great find for us sometimes takes us to the out of the way. Sometimes we find them in hole in the wall shops where you’d least expect to find something. Winter months sometimes come up with great finds that people decide to let go of when you least expect to see it show up. Networking has been wonderful for us to find other collectors that do the same things as us. Finding clubs too that specialize in your type of collecting has helped us find wonderful pieces of Coca Cola advertising for the 36 years that we’ve collected it.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
We love seafood, so if we find a place like that to stop and eat, that’s great. Because of our travel time (3hrs to Portland) we will pack our lunches then grab dinner en route home.

What is your perfect summer day?
Wow, we haven’t been below 90+ since the first of July, so a nice day in the mid 70′s and walking the antique districts like West Moreland’s Stars malls, Sellwood and Aurora are at the top of the list!

Thank you for sharing your amazing collections with us, Marilyn & James!

READ MORE: STARS CUSTOMER COLLECTIONS

PHOTOS FROM STARS ANTIQUES MALLS

PHOTOS OF STARS AND SPLENDID ANTIQUES MALLS!

How did you get into vintage?
When the farm properties began disappearing in Sherwood, I started picking the things left behind by the farmers.

How long have you been a dealer?
I’m in my first year as a Dealer, I’ve been a Collector since 98′.

What would you say your specialty as a dealer is?
Advertising and farm items.

What is your dream vintage score?
To find the unopened box of Coca-Cola buttons in some warehouse.

Do you collect some specific things for your own home?
God bless my wife, she has allowed me to decorate our home in advertising!

Any vintage shopping tips?
Be nice, be fair and good deals will come.

How do you like to unwind?
A cold beer in the warm sun. Too bad we only get 90 of those kind of days a year!

What is your perfect summer day?
82 degrees sitting on the boat on the river.

Meet Michelle–here’s a fun interview for you and some photos of her space!

How did you get into vintage?
I became fascinated with vintage items as a kid visiting my grandparents in central Pennsylvania. We went to auctions with our lawn chairs and bought lunch from the Mennonite ladies who sold fresh baked goods from their table as the auctioneer emptied a house of its contents, one box or item at a time. I loved the thrill of it all and each treasure I collected was a memory of the fun day spent with my grandma and grandpa!

How long have you been a dealer? Do you work alone?
I have been a dealer for about 18 years. I like to work with my friend Rich or my mom, Birdie. We are good at knowing what each other likes and we tend to move at the same pace. Working with them makes everything more fun.

What would you say your specialty as a dealer is?
I love vintage linens and dishes. I would say those three are my specialties but then, I love a lot of categories.

What is your dream vintage score?
Italian Ex Votos, which are ornate heart shaped, silver offerings, are an ultimate score for my personal collection. I found a close second recently when I came upon a detailed metal statue of Mary on a wooden pedestal from a monastery in Switzerland. It is a treasure that makes me happy every time I see it!

Any vintage shopping tips?
When shopping for vintage items, never pass on something you truly love. There have been several pieces I walked past only to pine over them for years. Also, it pays to check your favorite shops regularly as you never know what will show up!

Do you collect some specific things for your own home?
I collect cream McCoy pottery, vintage fabric and monogrammed silver for my own home when I find pieces that speak to me.

How do you like to unwind?
Reading is how I usually unwind but hanging out with friends is the very best.

What are some of your favorites place to eat, visit or shop in Portland?
A couple of my favorite places to eat in Portland are Por Que No on SE Hawthorne or Screen Door on E Burnside. Screen Door’s fried chicken and their green tomatoes are the best! Ink & Peat has amazing gifts, jewelery and beautiful floral arrangements–it is a favorite shop where I always find the perfect gift and a lot of inspiration.

What is your idea of a perfect summer day?
My perfect summer day is having a cookout with all of my family at my mom and dad’s house. The food is always delicious and being with the people I love is my idea of perfect.

Here are some of our recent favorites from Dragonfly Sally:

Don’t forget to print out your handy Stars coupons before you come shopping!

I’m sure whoever took this wonderful piece home is pleased as punch. Our dealers find such interesting things to bring into their spaces–it’s fun when you can find a bit of history on the objects. And even more fun when they are still good shape, beautiful and useful. Come down to the Stars shops to see more! AND make sure to “Like” Us on Facebook for updates, fun contests and events!

P.S. You can also find Charlotte on her fun blog, Charlotte’s Web Antiques.

Make sure to come to our FABULOUS & FUN EASTER EGG HUNT!

Brent, Darwin and The Bunny are working hard to get the shops ready!

LOOK FOR FABULOUS PRIZES FROM THESE LOCAL FOLKS:
★ Stars Antiques (of course) ★ Tilde ★ Collage ★ Coco & Toulouse Go Shopping ★ Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters ★ Camp Hollyhock ★ Wallace Books ★ Cravin Raven Bakery ★ Starbucks Coffee ★ Staccato Gelato

Of course, we’re offering up some BIG prizes from Stars Antiques hidden in those eggs this year! You’ve got a chance at one of these 18 prizes:

★ 2 $100 Stars Gift Certificates
★ 2 $50 Stars Gift Certificates
★ 4 $25 Stars Gift Certificates
★ 10 $10 Stars Gift Certificates

As you might imagine, Stars customers have very good manners–even while they are in a frenzy hunting Easter eggs. Still, we think it is good to establish some important hunting rules:

Follow the rules and a hunting we will go!

★ MAKE SURE TO “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK & SPREAD THE WORD! ★

We’ve been able to contract with The Easter Bunny again this year to be back for our Easter Egg Hunt. Once again–as per his (her?? we still can’t tell!) contract–”The Bunny” will be giving out HUNTING HINTS for egg locations on Facebook and Twitter each day leading up to Easter next week. GOOD LUCK!

Will the real Easter Bunny please stand up?

HERE’S HOW:
1. Pick up a card at our Stars Antiques malls or another participating biz.

2. Go online and register it.

3. Swipe your card whenever you shop at participating businesses–you get points to use towards a huge list of rewards. Points you earn from all the businesses get pooled for you to cash them in for the rewards from any participating local business. Very cool.

Keep up with Supportland on Facebook and Twitter–they always announce new shops that have signed up, so you can plan where to use your points! There is even a map of participating shops and an iPhone app should be launching soon.

Thanks for supporting locally owned businesses! We sincerely appreciate every one of you and hope you enjoy this new perk as much as we think you will. ♥

Here is a fun video to watch that explains it:

P.S. Make sure to “Like” us on Facebook–we have some exciting things coming up!

The BIG Palmer Wirfs Spring Antiques & Collectibles Show heads into town this coming weekend. Stars Antiques is celebrating with our own Stars On Sale event and you’re invited! This is great fun every year to see friendly faces from all over. The shops are brimming with treasures right now. Stars On Sale runs for 4 days!

Join us for 4 days chock-full o’ fun starting this Friday, March 2nd!

STARS ON SALE DATES:
★ Friday, March 2nd 11am to 6pm
★ Saturday, March 3rd 11am to 6pm
★ Sunday, March 4th 11am to 6pm
★ Monday, March 5th 11am to 6pm

Shop Smart–Shop Stars! Make sure to SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!

★A FUN Q&A WITH MICHAEL FROM ORIENT EXPRESS AT SPLENDID★

How did you get into vintage?
Just started collecting miscellaneous stuff of no consequence until I saw a friend’s collection that really hit me and then we started collecting in earnest.

Do you collect some specific things for your own home?
Yes, Asian items mainly, but also eclectic items.

What is your favorite era?
18th & 19th century.

What is your dream vintage score?
Finding the unusual Asian pieces that no one else has.

What is the vintage score that got away?
Well, if you snooze you lose when you see something and it happened to me with a pair of very unusual vases, which I have always regretted not buying at the time.

Any vintage shopping tips?
Be very careful!

What is your favorite place to eat in Portland?
We don’t go out to restaurants much to eat, so it would be hard to say but we do like to eat at the University Club.

What non-vintage shops do you frequent?
We check out a lot of the consignment shops, as you never know what might be there. Although the picking are slim these days.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Since we are retired, anything we want to! We like to garden, entertain and go to movies.

How do you unwind?
Gardening and reading.

Have any fun trips planned?
Yes, several this year: Georgia, San Francisco, Palm Springs and who knows what else.

Do you find inspiration in any movies, TV shows, music, theater, arts, sports, recreation etc?
We enjoy adventure, sci-fi movies and some comedies.

Thanks, Michael!

What would you say your specialty is?
Furniture from the 20s and 30s. We stock our booth with things that we would have in our own homes. Romantic homes style things.

How did you get into vintage?
We have always loved it and have been collecting forever

Do you collect some specific things for your own home?
Toleware and anything pink (of course!). So many different interests. Hard to list them all!

What is your favorite era?
Pam’s is the 30s—50s and mine is… probably about the same!

What is your dream vintage score?
Oh there are so many…

What is the vintage score that got away?
Can’t really think of any right now. We don’t really worry about the ones that got away—just always on the hunt for more treasures.

Any vintage shopping tips?
Just have to keep at it and have some luck!

What is your favorite place to eat in Portland?
Sayler’s Old Country Kitchen

Do you find inspiration in any movies, TV shows, music, theater, arts, sports, etc?
Love watching old 30s and 40s movies… love the houses, furniture… all of it!

What non-vintage shops do you frequent?
Target and home goods stores.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Pam loves to read and I love to decorate and read all the decorating magazines.

How do you unwind?
I unwind with my magazines.

Stop by Splendid and see You’ve Been Pinked!

The shops are brimming and everyone’s spaces are lookin’ GOOOOD!

A rose under glass from Julie Ann's space at Stars, #70.

Beautiful vintage ribbon from dealer #49 at Stars!

A pretty note for your sweetheart from Barbara's space--#38 at Stars.

A sweet handmade I Love You pillow and pink candy dish from Stars dealer #44, Cronin & Nelson.

Whoop it up with handmade party hats from dealer #53 at Stars. Camp Hollyhock!

Such a cute vintage valentine! From Stars dealer #49.

A nice frilly box to fill with sweet nothings for your Valentine! From Stars dealer #127, Tim's Treasures.

Roses that can last FOREVER! Painting from Stars Antiques dealer #79, Mitzi Lee Jones.

Lovely ruby glassware from Stars dealer #58, Alice's Antiques & Collectibles.

Another cute vintage valentine from Stars dealer #42, Kay's Treasures.

A sweet arrangement from Stars dealer #15, Fleurs.

Pretty jewelry from Stars dealer #30, A Thing for Roses.

See you soon! Don’t forget to print out your coupons!

Here are a few beauties we found…

We’re still going strong today until 6pm! While you’re haggling with Darwin in Stars booth #99–make sure to admire the golden tan that he got in Mexico. Here are some recent snaps in his fantastic space!

Thanks, you guys! See you down at the shops!

Hurry down and stake claim on your loot. Remember: the early bird gets the best worms…

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND AT THE STARS ANNUAL HAGGLE SALE! Our dealers are making way for new merchandise and you’ll reap the rewards of their overhaul. It’s our biggest sale of the year, folks.

Over at Stars & Splendid, Brent, dealer #99, will be having a 40% OFF everything sale! Here’s a little peek at what you can snap up in his booth…

“I love it when my husband, Charles, delivers a large piece of my furniture from Stars to its new home. He gets to see the house and surroundings–and so many times he tells me that it looks as though I’d designed it specifically for their home.”–Janice Plihal, Stars dealer #60

How long have you been a dealer?
I started at the old Pay-n-Pac swap meet in the early 90s, moved to Antique Alley in Hollywood, then Monticello and found my home at Stars. LOVE it here, Brent, Darwin and Gayle have been beyond supportive as I started with a wall, then a corner and then two full spaces!

How did you get into vintage?
Vintage probably isn’t the right term for me as much as avid recycler. When I bought my home 20 years ago, I realized the value of shopping estate sales, garage sales, and thrifting to furnish my home. As an artist, I’ve always seen other uses for found objects. My degree is in Design and Textiles, so I think when you work with so much form and function, it becomes second nature to apply those principles to everything around you, ie, gardening, home decorating, and apparel design. I now use the same theories in my wood, stone, and shells. Hence my custom business name, byDesign.

Do you collect some specific things for your own home?
I LOVE stuff. It’s endless. Depression Era pedestal cake plates, ceramic dogs that look like mine, vintage seashell ships teamed with old aquarium castles and bridges, turn-o-century shaving mirrors, architectural elements, weathered wood and metal chairs for my garden, birdbaths and cement statuary, angels, ocean paintings, heart shaped rocks, nativity scenes from 1900-1970, and old hand carved teak furniture from the 1870-1930′s. Team that with my husband’s globes and spheres, chinese checkerboards and marbles, and surfboards and we have quite the eclectic mix. Did I mention the Vintage Glass Ornaments and ShinyBrites have taken over the basement along with over 200 salvaged wood, wavy glass, and leaded glass doors from 1890-1940?? HAHA!

What is your favorite era?
Easily 1870-1930. I think I would have been a fairly good pioneer woman.

What is your dream vintage score?
Either someone’s lifetime shell collection or a weathered piece of 1890 furniture, filled with character and patina and fabulous floral-engraved original hardware.

What is the vintage score that got away?
Probably something wonderful that Darwin marked way down and I was a day late or a dollar short!! He and Brent have taught me the beauty of collecting what you love.

Any vintage shopping tips?
There’s nothing like a road trip with a camping guide in one hand and an “antiques across America” guide in the other. Love garages, backyards, and basements at sales. When you collect, buy what you love.Then use it, have it out to view, enjoy it. Every season, I rotate displays/vignettes at my own home. For me, it justifies the collection, and makes the investment worthwhile. If it ends up in storage and never sees the light of day, it’s time to gift it to someone else.

What is your favorite place to eat in Portland?
We stay pretty close to home, Ohana Hawaiian Cafe and Du’s Grill both on Sandy Blvd. Love Alameda Brew Pub and Peter’s Bar and Grill both on NE Fremont/Beaumont Hill.

What non-vintage shops do you frequent?
Rebuilding Center, Hippo Hardware, and Salvage Works are my home away from home. My magazines and books are my alternative to “shopping” and where I often find further inspiration. You are making me realize I don’t do much generic retail!

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Garden, snorkel in Hawaii in crystal blue water, sit on the porch swing out front and listen to the wind through the tree leaves

How do you unwind?
There is a well known surfer, Rabbit Kekai who is quoted as saying “…once you feel the sand between your toes, you can never leave the beach”. I have so much fun doing what I love, it is a manner of unwinding and I know how blessed I am. I feel like I’m in my sandbox all day long. I LOVE evening walks with my mom through the neighborhood, she continues to teach me the beauty of simplicity, and the importance of seeing everything fresh each day, as though it were the first time.

Do you find inspiration in any movies, TV shows, music, theater, arts, sports, recreation etc?
My all-time favorite film is Orlando, I LOVE everything about this film, from the costumes and set design, to the music and actors. The details are amazing, every time I watch I still see something new. Runner-up would have to be Koyaanisqatsi (Life out of balance).

I think it’s more about Nature for me, seeing the intrinsic beauty of everything around us and how interrelated everything in life is. That’s inspiring. Going home to the unconditional love of three rescue dogs-that’s magic. Realizing as I age I have the potential to continue getting better-that’s exciting. This is what makes my heart sing.

Do you have a partner or partners that work with you?
Well, I have to credit my mom, Vera, for always encouraging us to be creative. She has always been very inspirational-even in her 80′s. She also brought us up with the same words her mom brought her up with “…busy hands are happy hands..” I joke with her that she never taught me the importance of resting as I’m busy all day long.

My husband Charles, God bless him, taught me to use of all the shop machinery and since then, I’ve kind of kicked him out of the shop entirely. He has to ask now when he can take the compressor, Senco, and DeWalt, etc which is laughable since he is a licensed contractor. He has been incredibly patient as our small home fills up in the winter with furniture (actually, who am I kidding-it’s year round) and there is a narrow path to walk from one room to the next.

He also works with me on the stone slab pieces, cutting and fabricating the slabs that often “marry” metal and wood bases. A very gifted woodworker and local shaper(surfboards); he has a great eye, but we definitely see things very differently. We constantly learn from one another, exchanging alternative approaches to solve technical problems, collaborating on the large floor to ceiling built-ins I have done for clients (he does the final installation at their homes), and he is quick to encourage me on a tough day.

What would you say your specialty is?
Building furniture with salvaged materials (1870-1930′s lumber and mouldings), keeping original hardware to the era and lead base is always removed.

In 1998, I started with garden theme, ie potting benches, garden benches, trellises all from salvage, cedar fence panels, and found objects. Somehow that progressed to fireplace surrounds/mantels all built from salvage; some were functional meeting Fire Marshall codes; others decorative. A client’s home was featured in Romantic Country where a mantel I had built site specific was featured.

Then in 2007, I started building cupboards and they just took off. With the number of older homes in the Pacific NW and the limited closet/storage space I found my niche. We all need to store our stuff and “hide” our clutter.

In 2009, I started building site-specific for many Stars shoppers who were looking for, but couldn’t find the “right” piece to fit their space and/or needs. I have over a dozen clients who have returned for several additional pieces for their homes and cabins and have referred me to others in the process. The collaborations have been wonderful. Brent has been great about letting me continue to place the custom work on my Stars website where they serve as a portfolio of work completed.

It is very meditative in my shell studio as I assemble one-of-a-kind shell mantels, mirrors, frames, and boxes with hand-picked shells from Hawaii, Florida, Costa Rica and Philippines. My husband is a surfer and Hawaii used to be one of my cities when I was corporate, so we traveled there several times a year. Although I love the ocean, as a Midwest farmer’s daughter, I like my feet on the ground, so while he surfs, I pick shells. LOTS of shells.

Thanks, Janice! Read more interviews with our vintage dealers–> HERE.