Category Archives: antiques

accessories, antiques, furniture, Karen Tashkovski

Rummage Heaven

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Amber Road is off Route 20 in what is technically Marcellus, New York. But once you park your car in the lot, pop up the stairs and walk into this former church, you’d swear you were in heaven. That is, if antique shopping is your jam. It is mine.

Rummage Heaven is gorgeously merchandised. It is so fun to peruse the different rooms filled with furniture and accessories while enjoying the light reflecting from the beautiful stained-glass windows. I wanted to live there.

Everything is reasonably priced to sell and I will say that the items depicted in these photos may not be here next week or even tomorrow. There is a high turn-over due to the fact that this off-the-beaten-path shoppe is hardly a well-kept secret.

I’ve been fan-girling Rummage Heaven on Facebook – loving everything they post. I finally got the chance to visit and I was truly blown away. The space is airy and light, easy to walk around (and there were a lot of customers there for a weekday afternoon). It is a magical place. Everyone was so nice. The employees even call it their happy place.

They are open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday and 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Rummage Heaven is located at 3165 Amber Road, Marcellus, New York 13108. Call for more information –  (315) 272-9236.

antiques, Karen Tashkovski

Madison-Bouckville 2023

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The thing about antiquing at Madison-Bouckville Antique Week – the way shopping becomes another form of exercise. Four hours of visiting the various “villages” of tents is equivalent to about eight miles of walking/hiking! It is a lot of fun. You should go!

Madison-Bouckville Antique week continues through August 20, 2023. The dealers are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day. Here are my favorite finds –

Dawn Dolls

Horses

Birdhouses

Dominoes

Typewriters

Buddahs

Skeleton Keys

Happy hunting! Happy hiking! <3

antiques, Karen Tashkovski

Blue Glass, Butterflies & Feathers

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If you haven’t heard the blue glass, butterflies and feathers story told by Abraham-Hicks, then I have linked it here for you. The inspirational speaker illustrates how the universe works in terms of thinking of these three things rather than any problems you think that you have. It shows you that you can manifest dreams by lowering your resistance.

Because blue glass, butterflies and feathers are typically three things you don’t care much about. If you think about them just a little bit and they materialize in some way into your life then…you know? It means you may be able to dream other things into reality. More important things. You just have to believe that you can.

I choose to believe because it is a beautiful sentiment. And it has worked in my life on many occasions. In fact, it worked today.

Janine and I hiked around the phenomenon known as Madison-Bouckville Antique Week. It is an annual event located on a couple mile stretch of Route 20 in Bouckville, New York. Thousands of dealers are set up in tents on both sides of the street. There are food vendors as well and there are antique brick and mortar stores too.

There was so much to see! And we had ice cream too. It was a perfect day! Thank you, Janine!

Madison-Bouckville Antique Week continues though August, 20, 2023. Dealers are open for business between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Allsaints scarf, Marc Jacobs sunglasses, Faithfull the Brand dress, Rag & Bone boots, Soflea bag
antiques, Karen Tashkovski, vintage

Found

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Found in Ithaca is another fun vintage store. I follow them on Facebook. Today I finally visited the store – I drove down from Syracuse and my friend Joyce drove up from Binghamton. We met there at around noon.

It is a multi-vendor situation with about 7,000 square feet of space. So much to see.

A lot of jewelry and decor items plus furniture.

One vendor had a bunch of Mexican Milagro pieces. They are said to carry good luck/miracle energy! We loved these.

Found in Ithaca is open Wednesday- Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

  • Location
  • 227 Cherry St
    Ithaca, NY 14850
    Phone: 607.319.5078

If I had to pick a recurring theme in the shops, I’d go with the bird motif.

I also came across a bunch of these school bells. I wanted them all. I kept picking them up, ringing them and saying, “I wonder how many times this happens in a day?” Joyce said something like, “Probably a lot.” I guess it would get annoying pretty quickly if I had a collection of bells. Everybody and their uncle would want to ring them.

It’s always a great day when you see blue glass.

Vintage clothing and accessories? Yes and yes.

And toys.

The vendors are always on the hunt to find treasures to resell. This is definitely one of those places you must frequent. In fact, once I’d returned home, I checked their Facebook page and noticed several items I’d seen in the shop had been sold, mainly the furniture pieces.

I guess you should go in with an idea of what you are looking for then enjoy the serendipitous experience infused with nostalgia of finding it, something like it or something else that lurks in your vortex of material wants and desires. I ended up finding some leather remnants for my jewelry business. I’m not currently making bracelets and I didn’t need more supplies, but the price was right, so, yeah. You just never know what you will find. So fun!

antiques, history, Karen Tashkovski, museum

Historical Syracuse

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On a recent visit to the Onondaga Historical Association (321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York 13202), I was treated to this wonderful walk down local inventions memory lane. The Brannock device was invented here – that is a big one. It’s the foot measuring device that helps you discover the correct shoe size.

Here is a Franklin roadster from 1902. This is on loan from the Smithsonian and is enclosed in a special air-conditioned environment to preserve and protect it. This car is the third of its kind to be produced and possibly the only remaining one.

Does anyone else remember getting Byrne Dairy milk delivered? Or taking a special trip to Marble Farms to get ice cream after visiting the Burnet Park Zoo?

More inventions include washing machines and typewriters. I think my mom worked at the Smith-Corona factory at one point. There is also an entire floor devoted to Syracuse China.

In addition, there is a costume display. Clothing purchased at stores like Flah’s and The Addis Company were highly valued. The equivalent today would be shopping at Jet Black (6891 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, New York 13066).

There are perks to becoming a member of the OHA. You can research the history of your home for instance, which is something that I am very interested in doing. You can also get discounts in their gift shop and have exclusive tours.

For $10 per person, you can do an exclusive tour of the Magic Toy Shop set! I didn’t do that – I’d like to – who is in?

I was gifted this book, which documents the series.

I was on the show once, folk dancing with the other elementary school-aged girls from church to plug The Festival of Nations. It was an event where all the ethnic communities participated in a food, music and dance party, held at the Syracuse War Memorial every November in the ’70s and early ’80s. I was hoping our picture would find its way into the pamphlet but instead, the boys who make up the Macedonian band Merak made the cut. They are all at least ten years younger than me and never watched the show. Lol – I am beyond jealous!

Once again, this blog post will resonate with people my age. The Onondaga Historical Association has been around for one hundred years. Hopefully, it will not be lost to the youth of today. Syracuse has a rich history and there is still so much more life to be lived that will eventually become part of that history.

OHA Museum/Gift Gallery
Wednesday – Friday: 10 – 4
Saturday & Sunday: 11 – 4

OHA Administrative Offices
315-428-1864
321 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, New York 13202

antiques

Soflea Garage Sale

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1 Sparrow Lane, Fayetteville, New York 13066 is the place to be for an enchanting burst of nostalgia. The sale was today from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm but will resume on Sunday, July 30, 2023 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Sophie Tashkovski is hosting an incredible garage sale. She is liquidating her shoppe at Antiques at Railway Commons.

There are so many treasures – furniture including two sofa sectionals, glassware, ashtrays, mirrors, baskets, trays, vases, and clothing and accessories. I bought a fabulous vintage leather belt and several record albums. I am so excited to revisit my 1970s records – okay, I got them for free because they were technically mine. Sophie is my sister.

I used to play Linda Ronstadt’s Simple Dreams and sing into a hairbrush microphone. When I was fourteen, I had a stereo in my bedroom that I bought for myself with my paper route money. And of course, how can I possibly forget seeing Grease with Mom and Kathy in 1978? Sophie was a baby then so she didn’t come with us. The theater was next door to the Pizza Hut on Erie Blvd. Neither is still there.

I guarantee that you will slide into your own reminisces as you wander through this sale on Sunday.

Sophie has great taste and a keen eye for finding treasures for resale. And her prices are very reasonable. Be prepared to find lots of things. I was going to say bring lots of cash but she accepts Venmo, so…enjoy! <3

antiques, Arts & Crafts, Karen Tashkovski, museum

The History of Suburbia

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Back in the day, we all had a moment or two at Suburban Park. It was an amusement park located in Manlius, New York. The last time Kathy and I were there was the last time that she was taller than me.

The site is now an apartment complex called…wait for it…

Suburban Park.

There is a sweet exhibit of items from the defunct park on view at the Manlius Historical Society, 109 Pleasant Street, Manlius, New York 13104. The museum is only open on Saturdays from 11:00 to 3:00 pm.

Yesterday, I was greeted by Sue Collin, lifelong Manlius resident and volunteer at the museum. We talked about our concern that history may be lost on today’s youth and shared our mutual hope that schools will educate students on local history in addition to whatever social studies curriculum is mandated.

Much of Suburban Park has been lost to history. Rides were left to deteriorate and later demolished to make way for the apartment complex.

I belong to a Facebook group about Suburban Park where people reflect on their memories while sharing pictures and memorabilia. Truth be told, I don’t have memories of the place, just pictures that prove I’d been there. I was probably two years old, maybe two-and-a-half in these pictures.

The museum also has this bit of history on the development of Green Lakes State Park. Someone should write a book about this. I would love a coffee table book with all of these pictures. So amazing!

The Manlius Historical Society & Museum is small but it packs a punch. Thank you, Sue, for such a lovely experience. I enjoyed meeting you!

Call (315) 682-6660 for more information or email them at manliushistory@gmail.com. You can also visit the Cheney House Research Center located right next door. I believe they are open on Thursdays or you can schedule an appointment. <3

antiques, Karen Tashkovski

Lost in Translation

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The premise (spoilers) for Episode 6 of Season 2 of Star Trek’s Strange New Worlds: Uhura hears noises then has scary hallucinations followed by nightmares. Finally, she realizes the imagery is, in fact, communication from an alien gaseous species telling her that the Enterprise is causing them harm. Since she is the communications expert, everyone on the ship trusts and believes her. Uhura extrapolates this narrative by verbalizing what she views visually and interpreting it all into a benevolent result.

So, that was pretty cool. I resonated with this because I am of the belief system that our surroundings are a reflection of our immediate thoughts.

In that realm, what does my experience in the Skaneateles Antique Center tell me?

I think I know. I have Shaun Cassidy on the brain. Well, I must. Allow me to illustrate.

Shaun Cassidy starred as Joe Hardy on The Hardy Boys TV show in the ’70s. Now he is a writer and producer of television shows.

Shaun Cassidy has been married three times. His first marriage was to former Playboy playmate Ann Pennington.

His second marriage was to character actress Susan Diol. She has appeared on episodes of the television shows Star Trek – The Next Generation and Quantum Leap.

His current wife is Tracey Turner. They have several children together. I think he has eight children in total? Something like that. Some are into writing and some into music and maybe one plays the violin. I know I did – short lived – when I was in the third grade.

He has taken himself back to the stage. He plays the piano, sings and also shares amusing anecdotes. You will find tour dates on his official website www.shauncassidy.com.

Shaun Cassidy lives on a ranch with farm animals, mainly chickens and horses, but still. He also collaborates with a winery that markets My First Crush.

Am I going to get burned by the trolls for my extrapolation? Lol – why don’t you take a drive out to Skaneateles today and get lost in your own translation? The Skaneateles Curbstone Festival is happening from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm today. Stop in to Skaneateles Antique Center (12 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, New York 13152) and tell me what you see.

Shaun Cassidy has an on-line presence on Facebook. Tomorrow at noon Pacific time, he will be interacting with fans. You can ask him if he’s been to any antique shops lately. Tell him I sent you.

antiques, Karen Tashkovski

It’s Eclectic!

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Janine and I had such a blast at The Eclectic Chic (2044 Glenwood Plaza, Oneida, NY 13421). I follow them on Facebook – another amazing antique store housing several vendors under one former grocery store roof. Upon entering, you get to enjoy this wonderful retro diner vignette. We were both giddy about it. The photo ops were over the top. So fun!

I loved the way the entire store was merchandised. Several groupings of flag motif items united the booths with patriotic flair.

This crocheted apron (above) was only $5!

These presidents (above) were in needlepoint. Not sure if you can see the incredible detail in the picture. They are fabulous!

Next weekend (June 30-July 1) they are planning a trunk show with a turquoise vendor who will also be appraising jewelry.

I really wanted that tin rooster (above). I may have to go back and get it. Tomorrow and Wednesday they are planning a 10% off sale for teachers! The Eclectic Chic is open seven days a week. Call them at (315) 363-1031 for more information or email them at the eclecticchicny@gmail.com.