I don’t do the antique picks every week, but I did come across a cool find this week. And it’s more of a new antique — a rebirth of the first digital clock.
Do you remember Nixie tubes? I sure don’t. They arrived on the scene in 1954. And got lost somewhere in the 70s.
But, just what is a Nixie tube? I’ll give it to you straight from Ramsey Electronics (they sell them now):
“The Nixie tube is a cold-cathode tube filled with neon gas and equipped with a wire mesh anode and multiple cathodes in the shape of numerals. …read more

When I see hames, especially old rusty ones like these, I feel sorry for whatever work animal had to put up with them. The tag on these hames says, “Hames with chains. Very old. The mule got away … You’ll need to get your own!” They are selling for $45.

Here’s another view from above. The hames are sitting on an antique ironing board.

These hames are most likely destined to hang on the wall at a Cracker Barrel.
Can you think of another use?
Images by me.

Up soon, I’ll show you the work of a very interesting organic artist. Until then, ponder upon a rusty chicken feeder, won’t you?

I saw this on a recent trip to a local antiques store. I know it’s marketed for a person who has a country-style home, but all I can think of is someone unearthing it from an old shed beside an abandoned farmhouse. Someone once fed little chics with it before its rusty days. Now, it’s a piece of deco? Suppose so, but the other thing this reminded me of is feeding 4-H chickens. Yeah, I had some chickens. …read more

I took this shot in front of my local antiques store. It qualifies as both reuse and an antique, except that they didn’t have any flowers in it.
Plus, dirt in a sink is just sort of funny, isn’t it?
Sure, this looks OK outside of an antiques store, especially if they add flowers, but I’m guessing not so much for your front porch.
Can you think of other places to use a sink planter?
Photo by me.

I wish I had found this week’s Antique Pick of the Week myself, but it was not to be. However, you can visit Swapatorium to see what I mean.
Part of the text on the back of the mug shot reads:
Stole a Ford Coupe in front of Vaungh – Smiths Drug store
Fixed case out of court

I love it, but I can’t help wondering if that sad-looking guy in the mug shot ever got his own Ford Coupe. And what lead him to steal one on September 13, 1924? How exactly was the case “fixed out of court?”
What are …read more

When brushing my teeth, I use an espresso cup to rinse. But I could just as well use a cute juice glass like one of these.
If you’re in a hunt to replace your disposable bathroom cups, then I’d recommend going to an antique store to have a look around. I almost always find cute juice glasses like these.
Do you have an eco-friendly way to rinse?
Image via Peggy Rowland.

I doubt this is really an antique, but it’s one of those things that turns up in antique or thrift shops.
I thought it was really cute when I first saw it, but after reading the Glorious Gourd Decorating book, it looks kind of sad. It’s selling for $9.98. Or maybe it’s not selling.
Still, the eyes do look rather goose-like. 
Image via Peggy Rowland.

I wish I had more info on this week’s Antique Pick of the Week. It’s a McKinley rice box. I wonder if it could be turned into a roasted nut dispenser or cotton candy machine. Yum.
The tag said:
Rice storage and measuring box $45

Here’s a zoomed-in shot for you. It’s a bit rusty, so maybe it’s not cut out to be a cotton candy machine after all.

Do you know anything about this antique? Also, if you bought it, what would you use it for?
Images via Peggy Rowland.

This doodad captivated me so much I had to pay another visit with my camera to take its picture. Here’s what the tag says:
Fly Catcher Rare $24
Must-have for country kitchen look
Circa 1900-1920
To use this fly catcher, remove the glass stopper and pour in honey or sugar water. Place where you see flies, and they get stuck in the bottom. This catcher is actually nicer looking in person, plus the tape on top is hiding the pretty design on the stopper.
Have you tried this method of catching flies?
Image via Peggy Rowland.

One thing I like about antique stores is that they help teach you about the past. Some things may be better left in the past though.
What do you think of Weepy the Wee Wee?

I’ve never heard of this plastic monstrosity. It’s supposed to be a prank — you pull down the shorts and it pees on someone. I guess that’s funny. It was selling for $9.99 at my local antiques store. I couldn’t find a year on Weepy, but I’m thinking it was made in the 50s or 60s.
And apparently, Weepy is back by popular demand. Here’s a newer version …read more