The Widow's Fund

Kitsch, crass or collectable? Probably all three in varying degrees.

But the pottery stripper mugs that were so popular as barware some decades ago have an honourable history, originating apparently in much more seriously 'arty' form from Laguna Beach artist Dorothy Kindell.

This group - a 'metric set' of five plus (unpictured) a differently and rather more gaudily coloured repeat of mug #3 - were seen in passing and purchased from the unlikely locale of a dental technician's shopfront. Turned out the false teeth fitter's long-time receptionist had taken up pottery as a pastime after being widowed and had molded several sets of the mugs for fun.

These were the last and were had for, if memory serves one correctly, a mere 15 bucks AU.

So, assuming the full set was six, which stage of the stripper's routine is missing? Perhaps there's a clue in that she progresses abruptly from bestockinged to barelegged. Who knows?

Rock N Roller Coaster

It's interesting how clothing fashion goes in cycles - mini skirts are in one year, out the next, mullets were in and now they're out (thankfully!).

Just as interesting is how home furnishing and homewares go through trends too. Currently it's an emphasis on natural colours and interesting textures. Ten years ago it was a Mexican/Santa Fe
look - strong primary colours and high gloss glazed tiles - particularly in kitchen and homewares. The 1980s was about sleek two-pac high gloss finishes inspired no doubt by Dallas and Dynasty. and the 1970s tapped into deep earthy colours - just look at Elvis' kitchen.

Which brings us back to the 1960s where pretty pastels reigned supreme and this Tupperware Wagon Wheel Coasters were produced.

A little bit of research finds that a complete set - a white 'cradle' containing coasters in pink, blue, green, apricot, yellow and white - is relatively rare. A quick frolic through ebay discovers that 'metric sets' of five and made-up sets are common.

A complete, original set sells between $U5 and $US15 on ebay and other collectible sites.

What is particularly fun about this particular Tupperware product is its innovation. Sandwiched between the colourful perforated tops and white bases is a wafer of foam to soak up the the condensate from frosty drinks or cocktails like the Manhattan, on hot days. How thoughtful!

Bottle Blonde

Welcome to the first post for 'Saucy Saturday' - a fairly common piece of 'breweriana', the Brass Nude Bottle Opener.

Nick picked up this licentious lithe lady at a swap meet or fair somewhere for only a few dollars. A-ha! Cheap as well as common. The shame!

You can find your own all over eBay for a few dollars too. There's even a gold-plated version around who plies her trade for around $US30.

As far as we can tell, the original design dates back to the 1920s or '30s though surely it must have been in production for decades, perhaps even still going today.

One might say the old brass holds her age well, though wear or the loss of detail associated with cheap castings on the face of this example has given her a rather ghoulish appearance and she's been retired from active duty since the advent of twist-cap beer bottles.