The one thing Spokane hasn't had in a while is a place for collectors to find clean, wearable, upscale vintage clothing.

For the last few years Finders Keepers on South Cedar filled a corner of the basement with funky finds, but the lighting was poor and the atmosphere less than glamorous.

Now the store has expanded and all the vintage clothing and accessories are upstairs. It's a very girly-girl place. My teenage daughter will love it.

I stopped by Saturday, after speaking about Why we collect" at the MAC. I didn't bring home any vintage clothing. (I'm a bit past my prime there. My funky fashion days are behind me, but let me tell you, back in the 80s...)

I did pick up a gorgeous, and very large, hand-hammered copper ewer.

The basement space that used to hold all those vintage threads is now full of furniture, pottery, paintings and textiles.

That's more my style.

I haven't been doing much treasure hunting lately. Sorting and packing all the treasures I've already picked up, preparing to move, kinda takes the fun out of it all.

But I did pick up a big, heavy, vintage rolling pin at a little shop while I was on vacation on the Oregon coast.

The problem is that most of the kitchen items have already been boxed up. And, to be honest, I didn't want to advertise the fact that I've been hunting and gathering.

So, the rolling pin is still on the back seat of my car. I wonder if the people who park beside me or walk by the car notice. What do they think?
Do they wonder if I am a professional chef? Or a food stylist? More likely, they think I'm nuts.

Am I the only one who uses her car as a staging area for my finds?

What's in your back seat?

In this week's Treasure Hunt column I wrote about vintage aluminum serving pieces. I asked readers to share the stories of their pieces:

Dear Cheryl-Anne,

I do enjoy reading your articles, especially the ones on your family.

I read the article this morning in HOME on aluminum products.

As a wedding gift, we received a 3 tiered cookie server and an aluminum serving tray. I gave the cookie tray away, but I still use and treasure
the serving tray.

The label on the back states "Hand Wrought Created by Rodney Kent 408".
The tray is 16" x 12" with hammered handles on
the ends and tulips covering the face of the tray.

My husband and I will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on August 4th, 2006.
As you already know, the aluminum products from the 1950's held up well.

Shirley Pantaleo

CAM: Thanks for sharing the story of your vintage aluminum serving pieces, Shirley. Obviously aluminum isn't the only thing that holds up well.
Congratulations on 50 years of marriage.

Antiques and collectibles treasure hunters like to spend their spare time scouting out great finds.
I get a lot of requests - from locals as well as day-trippers - for information about antiquing in Spokane.
Here's a list of shops in the area.

Happy Hunting.

I got a letter from an old car enthusiast who instantly recognized the car in the photo I used for last week's Treasure Hunt column. He'd like to put the photo in the club magazine to help other restorers:

Dear Ms. Millsap,
I belong to The Dodge Brothers Club, a national club devoted to Dodge Brothers vehicles, and the car in the picture is a Dodge Brothers touring car from around 1917.
Many times pictures like yours can be invaluable when restoring vehicles as there are original details that can be found in the pictures that help during the restoration process.
Regards,
Jim Anselmo

Anselmo also wanted to know if I had any information about the woman, but I don't have a clue. The photo is part of my collection, picked up at flea markets and estate sales across the country.
Funny, but when I look a the photo I see a pretty girl with a car. Those car collectors must see somthing else.

November 1946: Better Homes and Gardens (Courtesy of Cheryl-Anne Millsap)

Hi Cheryl-Anne,

My mother has a box of old vintage magazines. She was wondering what the value is of these magazines. Here is a sample of some of them:

Good Housekeeping - April 1938
Better Homes and Gardens - August 1927
The Delineator - June 1905
The HouseKeeper - April 1910
The Little Pilgrim - 1899
Conkey's Home Journal - June 1903

She has others ranging from 1892 to 1901 and more!

Thank You,
Jay C Jensen ~ La Crosse, Wisconsin

CAM: Hi Jay, As a rule, unless they contain something of historical signifigance, vintage magazines don't command high prices.
I don't do appraisals (I'm not qualified) but I can point you toward a couple of resources:

First, eBay is always a good place to see what things are selling for. For example, a copy of the April, 1938 Good Housekeeping is currently listed for $3.99.

Interestingly, "Living for Young Homemakers," a cutting edge lifestyle magazine that was published from 1949 until it was incorporated by House and Garden Magazine in 1962, is highly prized by architects and designers for its mid-century design content. Copies in mint condition sell for as much as $20 to $25 on online auctions.

You might find more information in the Antique Trader Vintage Magazines Price Guide. It sells for $19.99 and lists more than 250 magazines.

Good luck!

It's not too late. You can still hitch a ride on the Empire Builder to Whitefish, Montana for the Big Sky Country Antique Fair.

I've taken that train ride and it's fun. You leave Spokane in the wee hours and watch the sun rise just before you pull into Whitefish.

By the time the sun sets you could have something old and wonderful to bring home with you.

I stayed at the Grouse Mountain Lodge and had a wonderful time. Makes me wish I could toss the to-do list waiting for me at home and get aboard.

In my June 13 Treasure Hunt column in Home, I wrote about my funky little vintage pin cushions. And I invited readers to share their favorites.

Carol Triplett wrote to tell me about her own collection:

Your article on pin cushions was especially fun to read. For the last several years I have picked up inexpensive ones of many sizes and shapes at estate and garage sales.

In my small collection, I now have 6 with pull out tape measures. My first one of that type was chubby little seven dwarfs type character with a big nose that is the pull for the tape measure. Others include a fabric globe, a hen, an old dog with one ear whose tongue pulls out, a small wooden rocking chair and the common red tomato.

Several of my pincushions are hand made and are still full of pins and needles. All of them are displayed in three small knick-knack shelves on the wall of my sewing room.

Thanks to everyone who does the whole HOME section. It is positive reading and an affirmation of our creative skills, and family activities that help smooth out our busy lives.
Carol Triplett

Wolffy's Steak House is closed and they are selling the contents of the building.
Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. antiques and collectibles from the restaurant will be sold at auction.
You can preview the contents on Tuesday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wolffy's is located at 319 W. Hastings.

In Tuesday's Treasure Hunt column I wrote about three little pin cushions I keep around.
One was made by my grandmother, the other was a gift and the third was picked up at an antique shop here in Spokane.

I asked readers to share their memories of favorite sewing tools. Sheila Jacobson sent a note about her mother's darning needle:

Cheryl,
I remember my Mother darning socks by the hour when I was growing up.I had 3 brothers, so there were a lot of socks.
We also had a Siamese cat (Mac Duff) who loved to eat wool if you were so foolhardy as to leave an article of clothing on the floor or the bed. And socks and scarves, bathrobes and mittens were all wool back in the 50's and early
60's.
Anyway, she always used a black darning egg.
It had its own handle and was a shiny black lacquer. My mother died of cancer when I was in
my 20's; and I never got to take any mementos of her life.

I mentioned the darning egg one time to my sweet Aunt (Mom's sister,) and she gave me her darning egg which was a duplicate of the one my Mother had.
I could pretty much guarantee that it has been 40 years since I darned anything, but I still have that darning egg.
When I look at it, I remember my Mother darning away and I remember my Aunt.
It's a twofer.
Sheila Jacobson

I had a great time last week visiting with the Soap Lake Collectors Club at Apple Annie Antique Mall in Cashmere.
The place is huge. After shopping for an hour or so we took a break for lunch at "Studebaker's 50's Diner."
I enjoyed chatting with the ladies, some of whom have been in the club since the 1970s.

I tried to be good and not buy anything ( I'm moving later this summer and I don't want more to pack) but I did find a couple of good things.

I brought home a round wrought iron table for the patio for just $18, and a couple of Fiestaware plates in my favorite green color.

All in all, it was a good day.

I'll be writing more about my road trip in Tueday's column in HOME.

Thursday is Treasure Hunt road trip day.

I'll be driving to the little town of Cashmere to meet up with the Soap Lake collectors club.

We'll spend a couple of hours prowling through the 70,000 squre feet of antiques at Apple Annie's Antique Mall and then have a little lunch.

You can expect a full report in an upcoming Treasure Hunt column in HOME.

If you're looking for something to do that will get you out of the house and out of mundane chores like cleaning your closets or balancing the checkbook, head to Coeur d'Alene.

The 4th annual Shabby to Chic Home Tour, featuring nine homes in the Coeur d'Alene Garden District, is today from 1 - 5p.m.

I wrote about one of the homes, a 1928 Sears and Roebuck bungalow, in Tuesday's HOME section.

Before and after the tour you can nosh on goodies at the Shabby to Chic Shoppe and do a little shopping.

Much better than cleaning a closet, right?

Tour information

Nine homes will be open to ticket holders.Tour hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets and maps of the tour are available at The Shabby to Chic Shoppe, 806 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene.

Tickets: $20
For more information, call (208) 676-8485
or (208) 699-0844.

Last weekend, at the Farm Chicks Antique Show, I spent a little time with Country Living Magazine editor-in-chief Nancy Soriano.

This was Soriano's second visit to the Spokane area.

We chatted about the state of antiques and collectibles as well as the evolution of country style. She was gracious and charming and it was obvious why the magazine is so popular under her leadership.

I'll have a bit more in Tuesday's Treasure Hunt column in Home, and I'll be writing more about the Country Living/Spokane connection in the future.

You can read the Country Living blog about Spokane here .

If you can force yourself to come in out of the beautiful sunshine, Custer's Spring Antiques and Collectibles sale is in town.

The show runs tonight until 9 p.m at the Fairgrounds.
Weekend hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The $6 admission is good all weekend. Children 12 and under are free. More details at www.custershows.com

Unh, uhn, unh. Put those garden tools away. You don't have to start that yard work this weekend. There are treasure hunting opportunities on the calendar.

Today and tomorrow – The second annual Homesteader Hens Barn Sale, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., both days at 5634 French Gulch Road in Coeur d'Alene. The sale will feature collectibles, antiques, shabby chic, garden bedding plants, food and more. Directions: From Spokane, take the 15th Street Exit, travel south to Pennsylvania Ave. Go East and follow the signs. For more information, call Nancy Runge at (208) 664-7311

Saturday– The American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop will offer collectible appraisals from 2-5 p.m. For only $10, "Aunt Bea" and Margaret of Aunt Bea's Antiques will give oral appraisals for up to three items per person. The Discovery Shop is at 805 W. Garland Ave. For more information, call 328-9373.

Saturday– Hurd Mercantile and Co. annual Spring Open House, Rockford. Treats and giveaways from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Mercantile will have its annual sidewalk sale May 20-21. For more information, call 291-4077

If you haven't stopped by the Mercantile, it's worth the trip. The last time I was there I picked up a lamp and a vintage dress for my daughter.

The Appraisal Days at the MAC were very successful. There more people, and the values of some of the things brought in for appraisal were the highest ever.
I was there and I'll tell you all about it in Tuesday's Treasure Hunt column.

The flea market rolls into town with the gun show this weekend and it's the extended version. Doors open at noon tomorrow and the market runs through Sunday.

Antique Appraisal Days have arrived at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

For just $10 per item, you can have up to 5 of your treasures and heirlooms appraised by professionals. Appraisals will be done on a first come first served basis. Proceeds will benefit Spokane's Campbell House.

I'll be around from noon until 3 p.m., today and tomorrow, to talk to you about your favorite finds.

Hope to see you there!

Mail: I read your article in the Home section regarding your map. You mentioned that it had a small brass tag on the frame. Do you happen to remember the number on the tag? I have the LC art collection book that lists all of our works by tag number.

I know we have lost pieces over the years and if I knew the number I could verify if it ever was in our collection. If it was, I can make a notation in the book that we have verified that it left our school, so our book is correct.

The art that we have on display in the school is catalogued online, please visit the site if you get a chance. Go to www.lctigers.com and select "Art Collection".

Thanks!
Theresa Meyer
Assistant Principal
Lewis and Clark High School

CAM: Today's Treasure Hunt column in HOME was about a circa 1913 map of North America that I picked up at a local thrift store.

I wondered if the map was from the beautiful Lewis and Clark High School because the school was being restored when I found it.

Following Meyer's hint, I looked but didn't find any identification. Meyer decided the map had not belonged to the school.

So it's still a mystery map.

Hi, I just ran across one of your articles, I kept, from Dec.

I wanted to ask you if you would mind sharing the name of the places you found the vintage Christmas ornaments?

Thank you in advance,
Ellen Reese

CAM: Hi Ellen,
Thanks for reading the column and for writing.
As far as treasure hunting goes, I have no secret sources. :)
Almost everything I find is purchased at one of our local thrift stores and antique malls, or at an estate sale or garage sale.
Another excellent source of anything you can possibly imagine is eBay. But I try to stay away from online shopping for the same reason I don't keep a lot of ice cream in the freezer: I don't do well with temptation.
For vintage holiday items, you can't beat thrift stores and garage sales. There's lots to look at and the prices are low, low, low. Happy hunting. If you find something wonderful send me a photo. I may use it when I write about vintage ornaments and holiday decorations next year.
Cheers!

Mail:
I have a tapestry of Laban, Joseph, Lea and Rachel in gold frame. Yesterday as I was going through the Campbell House, I saw a picture with a frame almost that was almost identical to mine. I don't have a lot of money for an appraisal and I am wondering if you can steer me toward a reasonable appraiser and reputable one to boot. I know nothing about antiques. My picture is date 1855 and signed with the initials of MB.

I hope that you will take the time to answer my question. I realize that you do have a lot of people sending in emails. I am 70 and never in my life have a seen anything like my picture.

Thank You,
Charlene Herrick

CAM:
Hi Charlene,
Thanks for writing.
Your tapestry sounds beautiful.
Although it can be fairly expensive to have a professional appraise an item, there are less expensive options.

On March 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (the MAC) will hold it's annual Antique Appraisal Days.

For just $10 you can have a professional take a look at your tapestry. If it is similar to something at the Campbell House, they may have even more information for you.

For more information call the museum at 456-3931.
Good luck!

I popped into the Vintage Rabbit antique mall this morning, looking around for a little inspiration for upcoming Treasure Hunting columns. I wasn't there to shop, in fact I'd left my purse in the car.
So naturally I found something right away.

I've written about my love affair with alabaster lamps before. And I've added a couple since then.

The new one is a beauty. It's heavily carved, doesn't need rewiring and it was a bargain.

Only took a minute to run out the car and get my purse.

Coffee is chic. Neighborhood coffee shops have evolved into trendy bistros, complete with plush furniture and fine art on the walls.

After your gourmet latte arrives, you can settle into a leather armchair and listen to the jazzy CD or a local band.

It's as much about being seen as seeing.

But, sometimes, I miss sliding across the cracked vinyl of a booth, or perching on the well worn top of a round chrome stool at the counter of a diner.

One of my favorite ways to pass the time with my friends used to be sitting around a table at that kind of place. At any time of the day or night, talking about everything and nothing; we ate burgers and fries, or slices of pie and drank bottomless cups of coffee that were poured by a friendly waitress.

Each table had a tall glass dish with a slot on the top for pouring sugar and a miniature pitcher of cream.

I still have a soft spot for those tiny creamers...

Read the rest of today's Treasure Hunt column here.

(Photo by Jed Conklin/The Spokesman-Review)

An old painting, burnished with the patina of age, can be especially beautiful to someone who loves old things. And vintage art, especially amateur art, is highly collectible.

Some people look for pieces that fit a particular theme: landscapes, portraits, animals or still life, and build a collection around that. Others look for artwork done in a favorite color or from a certain period of time.

But most of us have only so much wall space. You can only hang so many large paintings in a room.

One way to continue to collect vintage art, and still have room to display it all, is to focus on the small canvases that designer and author Mary Emmerling calls "tiny jewels."

There is something captivating about anything in miniature. Who can resist peeking into a doll house?

Years ago, I started picking up small vintage paintings, most no bigger than 8 by 10 inches, including the frame. My first was a pretty rose painted on a board. The whole thing is not much bigger than a postcard. I bought it at an auction when I was a teenager and I've had it since. That little painting has hung on a lot of walls over the years...

Read the rest of the column here .

Don't forget the Spokane Public Radio recording and video sale this weekend.
There will be LPs, CDs, DVDs and videos by the thousands and the prices, $5 for most items, can't be beat.

The R & V sale is at the Spokane Masonic Temple on Main Avenue downtown. Read the important stuff about the sale here.

Oh, and while you're thinking about the favorite old albums you've loved and lost, check out Treasure Hunt in Home.