Vintage at AGardenCottage

What's vintage for you? For me, this is collection of memories.

A vintage item is the item that is more than 20 years old and is valuable to you or others.

When I buy vintage items I look at things that I would like to have myself. But here is the catch, just because something is old does not make it valuable or collectible. What's make it valuable is it is something rare, something desirable, people want it or it touches someone's memory of good days gone.

I am a collector too, that's why I opened my AGardenCottage shop on Etsy.

Look at these buttons. It is so hard to find quality mother of pearl anything now but these vintage buttons have a wonderful marbling opalescence in them. These buttons are a way to bring the beauty of the past to a garment made today.

 Another good example is your holiday dinner. You can use many different serving utensils for your guests or you can really dress it up with something that your guests have never seen before like this gold strawberry salt & pepper shaker. 

 You could use something like this or another vintage set made by Oneida that will dress up your table.

 When your guests see your treasures it will become a topic of discussion and compliments. Believe me, we kept the same strawberry set for ourselves for our Thanksgiving dinner and everyone was asking about it.

Vintage or antique items have always been popular. Since the 1950's when mass production really got started it has made collecting cheaper. Now everyone can afford to collect or buy items that they are interested in.

I am shopping for items constantly and I have hundreds of items that are not listed yet so if there something you are looking for let us know because I may already have it or I will look for it.

My warmest Holiday wishes to you,

Tanya at AGardenCottage

Wonderful things wednesday - Winter woodland forest

Now that winter is upon us, how do our forest friends keep warm? They can’t wear warm mittens or coats but nature has given them their own means to stay warm.

Foxes, squirrels and other mammals grow a soft under fur to help them keep warm regardless if they hibernate like squirrels with their little stashes of food or are out playing in a snow like a foxes. Owls and other birds get a thick down under their heavy flight feathers.


One of the things we can do to make the winter easier for them and enjoy watching them, is to put out natural foods in a place that is visible for you. Some ideas are corn, suet, wild bird seeds and other such foods.

A winter forest is full of life even if you can not see it. Just stop and look around!

Our team has taken inspiration from the winter woodland forest and created many craft items for you to choose from!

{Photo sources from top, then l-r: 1, 2, 3, 4}

{Photo sources from top, then l-r: 1, 2, 3, 4}

{Photo sources from top, then l-r: 1, 2, 3, 4}

{Photo sources from top, then l-r: 1, 2, 3, 4}

Story by Tanya Socksandmittens
Photo collages by Katrin KarisaGraphic

Interview with a Star - Inessa

As we all know there are so many different shops out there! Some are like a well trained platoon matching in front of its commander. All items in such a shop are alike. They are like cupper buttons on soldiers’ uniforms. Some stores are very cozy and welcoming. You want to stroll through them checking out every detail. You might even drink a cup of tea with a store’s owner and relax.

Some stores are like a cave with Ali Baba treasures. Every time you come in there you tremble. You never know what you are going to find in this treasure chest this time.
That’s exactly how I would describe Inessa’s shop called Vintageer


In her shop Inessa has gathered unique items: Home Decor and Linens, Kitchen and and Dinnerware items, Vintage Jewelry and even Christmas decorations. All these wonderful things date back to the last century. Every piece has a story behind it!

For example look at this set of salt and pepper shakers.

This rare set is approximately 100 years old. The pattern is a stunning gold gilt floral pattern with orange and blue flowers on a cream colored rim with a white background and gold trim.
The pattern is called #42200, but was referred to in the catalogs as "Raised Gold", and was made by Noritake (Japan). The pattern was discontinued Circa: 1918. Plates form this set were marked with a back stamp of the letter "M" encircled by a wreath, with the words "Hand painted".

Here is what Inessa tells us about her treasures:
“My fascination with vintage started from Christmas tree ornaments and decorations. I have a small personal collection of Christmas tree items made in Germany, Poland, Japan, USSR in 1920-1960. It’s amazing how such delicate and fragile pieces survived wars, relocations and cats’ curiosity!”


Apart from Christmas tree ornaments one can find adorable collectible plates in Inessa’s shop


Unique kitchen storage jars


and jewelry


All those exclusive and lovely items make our home cozy and our outfits unique and stylish. Thorough research into history behind every object in the shop makes our lives happier and richer.

Inessa was intervied by Lana at FineEmbroidery
Translated by TonyaUtkina