- What are you searching for today?
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
If you shop around for unusual items, you may have run into a Japanese "Tetsubin" teapot. The Japanese call them "tetsu kyūsu" (鉄急須) - teapots to distinguish them from kettles. They came to my attention on on Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
PRESERVING YOUR VINYL RECORD COLLECTION Some of you may own a one-of a-kind record and maybe some of you own records that you listened to when you were growing up. They are wonderful to collect. As I have and you may hav Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
When you see a vintage camper headed down the road, have you ever thought about how much fun it would be to have one. No doubt that they are just cute as can be. They’re in great demand and, of course, Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Vintage wire ware has been collected for decades. Now it seems there is a resurgence of interest as collectors of wire ware appears to be increasing. Wire tells the story of America and how it shaped the lives of people Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
THE FANTASY OF ELVES Way, way back before “Elf on a Shelf” became a sensation, elves existed in fairy tales, plays, stories and mythology. In the 1500's, it was typical for elves to be embraced i Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Gambling Memorabilia - Gambling has been around since ancient times and continues to be popular today. Gambling artifacts, from playing cards to dice to chips to actual gaming tables, are collected by thousands of people Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
When I think of vintage jewelry boxes, the first thing that comes to mind are the ballerina jewelry boxes of the 1960’s. They were every little girls dream at the time. But there’s a lot more to them than you Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Cranberry Glass is not just for Thanksgiving. Although red “cranberry glass” has been known to exist since early Roman times, it is believed that what we know today as Cranberry Glass was first made by Antoni Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Fountain Pens - “What you write with reflects who you are” so the saying goes, and fountain pens were a reflection of a person’s education and status in days gone by. Up until the mid-Twentieth Century, Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
2018 American Indian Arts Exposition If you plan to be in Tucson, AZ during the 2018 Tucson Gem, Mineral, Fossil, Bead and Jewelry Show (January 19 through February 14), don’t miss the American Indian Arts Expositi Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
VINTAGE GLOVES – 1940’s-1960’s 1940’s - Believe it or not, during WWII, ladies’ elegant gloves were considered an unnecessary item and limited ration coupons were issued in order to purchase Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
ZIPPO - the most recognized Cigarette Lighter. Almost everyone, especially those of us who grew up between the 1940’s and 1970’s, are familiar with the ZIPPO lighter. Back when over 75% of adults smoked, a ZI Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
No matter what you’re looking for when shopping at The Brass Armadillo stores, it’s always a good idea to seek out a vendor who carries the particular style or types of vintage items you’re interested i Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Fall is around the corner and it’s time for decorating the house with baskets of gourds, wreaths, corn stalks, pumpkins, and maybe a vintage wood bucket full of apples. With fall comes cooler weather and I never fa Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
If you’ve ever taken note of the watercolor paintings of Native American children by Ted DeGrazia, you probably will not forget his unique southwestern perspective of native cultures. He had a wonderful appreciatio Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
RINGLING BROTHERS – THE END OF AN ERA The closing of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus is a double-edged sword. It’s sad that this wonderful family entertainment is at an end; however, a benefit Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
JELLY BELLY PINS AND BROOCHES What a cute name “Jelly Belly Pins”!!! These adorable vintage costume jewelry pins and brooches were stylish yet unusual, quirky and just plain fun. “Jelly Belly’s) c Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Get your Phonograph Ready! It is time to drag your old phonograph and vinyl records out of the basement because vinyl records are in high demand these days. Many audiophiles now prefer music coming from vinyl reco Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
One of the benefits of being a dealer at The Brass Armadillo is having the opportunity to learn about so many things ranging from just plain old “stuff”, to antique furniture, to glassware, and on and on. Eve Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
OBSESSED WITH COLLECTING VINTAGE QUILTS ? If you’re reading this, you may already have an obsession for collecting quilts. If not, some of you may have been lucky enough to have inherited a quilt or blanket from a Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most important American architects and while he is credited with creating the Prairie School style of design, he also developed the American Craftsman style. His love of “orga Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
National Reading Month March is National Reading Month and with winter still hanging on, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a great book. It’s also a wonderful time to share your love of reading with your Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
TUCSON GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY Each year the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society hosts a variety of events in Tucson, AZ, of course. One of their major events for 2017 will be held February 9th through 12th 2017, at the Tucso Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
MAKING A COMEBACK: TURNTABLES Believe it or not, turntables (aka record players/phonographs) have made a huge comeback. The question most people ask is “Why”. Sure it’s nostalgic but there Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
GET READY STAR WARS FANS!! Get ready fans as you have a rare opportunity to travel through the universe with many of the Star Wars characters and - it’s available right here in Denver, CO. Star WarsTM and the Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Why the week before the “Santa Fe Indian Market” is so important. Plain and simple: It's a chance to be part of a world-class celebration of Native American tribal traditions and history "not duplicated Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Think Legos are just for kids? If you think Legos are just toys for kids, think again. Parents have been purchasing Legos for their kids since their release in the U.S. in 1961. In the years following, the Lego brand has Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Recycled Garden Ideas! It always seems as though spring will never get here but it eventually does. Until then, I’m planning how I can use "recycled" items to decorate my patio/yard. Take a look at some Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
What is Peanut Wood? - Well, it’s not from peanuts. To look at it, it appears to be a stone of some kind but it’s not that either. It’s a fossil that formed over 120 million years ago! While attending t Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
AMERICAN INDIAN ART AT THE “HEARD MUSEUM” If you ever visit Phoenix, AZ, don’t miss going to the Heard Museum, as it is has one of the best collections of Native American history and artifacts in the wo Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
“CLOCKWORK TOYS” The word “clockwork” is used to describe mechanical or windup toys. These wind-up toys were activated by the use of keys and cranks that activated small springs which Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
In the coming weeks I will be showcasing some unusual gemstones and fossils that I stumbled onto at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show this year. I hope you find them as intriguing as I do! The first gemstone is “Lari Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
RECLAIMED WOOD – IT’S RED HOT It’s the biggest decorating design trend going right now and prices could not be more reasonable. Call it reclaimed, barn wood, distressed or any number of names, wood is e Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES – IT’S WINTER! You may as well just roll with the punches. The holidays are over and the next few months are going to be dreary, cold and not very welcoming. What to do? Well, my first t Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
GIFTING FOR “HIM” - ONE STOP SHOPPING So I did a blog for gift ideas for the gals. Now it’s only fair I do the same for the guys. If he’s a collector, that makes it a little easier for you. Being Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
12 GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR “HER” - ONE STOP SHOPPING Hey guys and girls, just in case you are thinking that the Holidays are coming and you have no idea what to give that special someone or a member of your fami Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Holiday Decorating Ah, the Holidays are upon us and yes, it can be pretty overwhelming. However, if you are decorating on a budget and are willing to leave your “comfort zone”, you should treasure Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Moorcroft Pottery – What a find!!! Last week at the Denver Brass Armadillo, I spent about 45 minutes just browsing through the store and found a piece of Moorcroft art pottery. It’s an Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Over the last 100 years or so, there have been many glass manufacturers making a multitude of glass items. There were glass items made to serve a particular purpose and for daily use in the home. Then there w Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Halloween Collectibles Next to Christmas, Halloween is probably children’s’ most favorite celebrations. Many adults actually enjoy Halloween and its related parties, festivals, and “haunted” event Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Santa Fe Indian Market The Annual Santa Fe Indian Market, which is in its 94th year, will be held August 22nd and 23rd, 2015, on Santa Fe’s Historic Plaza and surrounding 14 city blocks. Over 1,000 Native American Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
PYREX – 100 Year Anniversary Pyrex cookware is found in over 90 million homes throughout the world and has been a kitchen staple in American homes for 100 years ever since Jesse Littleton, a Corning Industries scie Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Madame Alexander Dolls – Shelf Sitters? ? Many of us Baby Boomers remember the gorgeous Madame Alexander Dolls as our Christmas Wish doll, or as a “shelf sitter” if we were lucky enough to have o Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
When Tin Containers Held Everything Before plastic and cardboard packaging, metal tin containers were the primary packaging for commercial products. In the early 1900’s, everything came in a tin - including meats, Read More...
Posted by Brucha Junovitch
by Brucha Junovitch Lovers of old or rare books like myself have formed a sort of ritual over the years out of oiling the leather bindings of their most cherished volumes. It is a treasured thing to do, to store and pre Read More...
Posted by Brucha Junovitch
by Brucha Junovitch What is a troll doll? Some people refer to them as dolls, others not so. Whatever you may call them, Trolls are immensely popular with collectors and have been since their creation in the 1960s. &nbs Read More...
Posted by Brucha Junovitch
Verifying Antique Maps by Brucha Junovitch At many an antique store, flea market or rummage sale, you can readily come across an antique map. You may find one dated 1895 of the New England coast Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Remember Smiley the Pig? Many of us who grew up during the 1940s, 1950’s, and 1960’s remember iced-tea or lemonade being poured from a Smiley Pig pitcher or sneaking a cookie from a Smiley or Winnie Pig cooki Read More...
Posted by Brucha Junovitch
by Brucha JunovitchWhen the first English settlers came to America, England was just emerging from the Middle Ages. Furniture of the time was heavy and cumbersome and constructed chiefly of oak. By 1700, furniture had be Read More...
Posted by Brucha Junovitch
By Brucha JunovitchCollecting china can be as challenging as collecting glassware. The myriad varieties of china, as well as the huge number of companies that produce it, make for some confusing times for collectors who Read More...
Posted by Brucha Junovitch
By Brucha Junovitch Toy cars are not for children only. Some people collect cars because they are automotive enthusiasts with interest in a particular model of car or era of car design. Others find that collecting cars i Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Sun Catchers – West Virginia Crackle Glass Many of us born in the 1930’s to mid-1950’s era remember every kitchen window (and many parlor windows) had at least one piece of crackle glass which ca Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Easter Bunnies It always seems like the holidays creep up on us, and this Easter is no exception - April 5. Are you searching for the next Easter item to add to your collection? The Brass Armadillo has a beautiful Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Are you a mineral collector, rock hound enthusiast, or just simply love fossils, beads, precious stones, and jewelry? Then you may be interested in checking out the renowned Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase he Read More...
Posted by Betty Jean Shearin
Being a dealer at the Denver Brass Armadillo and an avid collector, I recently had the opportunity to visit Tucson, Arizona. Naturally I wanted to check out a few of the antique shops there. Making the rounds of several Read More...
Posted by Daniel Briddle
Today, I was reading an article about how antique malls and stores are becoming more collectibles than antiques. The article (Collectibles Differ From Antiques, Nancy Russell) offers this explanation: "Because it& Read More...
Posted by Daniel Briddle
Looking back over some of the content in the videos section, I am really impressed on the amount of good information there. Here's a few examples: How to Make MONEY selling Antiques in an Antique Mall http://www.iantiqu Read More...
Posted by Gary - Carol Stover
We are having an Appraisal Day this Saturday at the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall in Denver. At 11AM MST Ski & I will host our monthly Classified Ads chat, in which we & viewers select items from the Classifieds & Auction Read More...