I absolutely adore the new floral theme at the moment and in true Norah style, it was through a good old rummage around that I came across these flowers. A bargain and very effective.
They certainly bring out the beauty of this Pink shell Butterfly Brooch.
Goldtone.
1980s.
Working roll clasp
4cm x 3cm.
Just a quickie to let you all know today is the last day for anything brought from Vintage Norah , to get to you before Christmas…miseltoe crossed!!!
Anything after today over the Christmas period , will still be sent but please understand if they dont get to you as quick as normal.
(May look into the Santa Post service…he manages it all in one night! What a guy!
11th December is a very special day. Its Norahs birthday
Had she still been with us she would’ve been 98.
‘Vintage Norah’ is for her and quite simply because of her…my Nan.
The items you come across in the shop have mostly belonged to her with additional items from other loved ones within our family.
This is what it is all about…
Vintage Norah….a lifetime of gathering.
In the beginning around 1918 in the suburbs of Birmingham, England, a little girl came into the world. Her father was a cooper, her mother helped out and raised the family.
When Norah was six, her mother died and in diaries left by Norah which were found later, she recalls her mothers funeral with great detail. A sadness she carried with her through out her life.
Norah loved to rummage, to find a bargain and over the years she was able to ‘store’ many, many, many things!!!!
She had a soft spot for hats….we came across nearly 230! Bags, gloves, oh my it goes on!!
Many of her ‘gatherings’ have been spread around to help with fundraising and even for others to earn a ‘bob or two’.Some of her jewellery have been recrafted into new pieces. You will find them among the listings here. (She sure knows how to keep me busy!)
For me, a grand daughter, she has given me a chance to enjoy ‘being a little girl again’ sorting through all of what you see here in the shop…it is an ongoing process.
All what you see have a story to tell, like all vintage, but on this occasion I know where and who they came from.
Please enjoy as much as I enjoy bringing this all together.
(Nan, 93 years to gather,another 93 to sort out!!!!) x
Update 2016: Since the opening of Vintage Norah, you will be glad to know her items are spreading worldwide…yep she is everywhere, right down to New Zealand. Some items have gone to museums, TV studios, galleries or revivals.
Some have been the finishing touch for a wedding oufit,a birthday gift and even a ‘must have a go with these’ gift!!!(Hair grips.) xxx ~VINTAGE NORAH on Etsy
Norah loved Christmas Time. Special for her because of her own strong faith and special for us , as small grandchildren, having the presents in a black bin liner…more on that HERE along with a few more memories.
One of the many things she enjoyed ( apart from singing really LOUD and wearing a hat ) was writing her poems.
Many keep turning up, even now. I’ve mentioned before about keeping one of them in my purse and thank fully, just a couple of days before she passed, I knealt beside her and we read it together. It was one of those moments you know you will keep tucked away.
Her poems , often reflected her faith and here I would like to share with you , a beautiful poem she wrote called ‘Step inside’.
With much love Nan from me
xxx
Victorian Trading Co.
Louise Green Serendipity Cloche (369)
Festooned with a magnificent hand-formed bloom to the side, a sassy bonnet is timeless and exquisite. Created in the renowned milliner’s Los Angeles studio. Arrives in a keepsake hatbox. USA. Designer Louise Green.
Victorian Trading Co.
Louise Green Primrose Picture Hat (358)
A magnificent bonnet is hand formed using age-old millinery methods. An inner silk elasticized casing ensures a custom fit. Arrives in a keepsake hatbox. USA. Designer Louise Green
Victorian Trading Co.
Louise Green Bronze Beauty (2820)
An epic silk bloom from France rests upon a sumptuous wool felt cloche. Arrives in a keepsake hatbox.
Victorian Trading Co.
Midsummer Nights Bonnet (344)
Miss Austen would revel in this milliner’s delicacy, created from a lovely mix of lace and vintage-inspired blooms, embroidered chiffon and weave. Arrives in keepsake hatbox. Made in USA of imported materials.
Victorian Trading Co.
Sweetheart Roses Hat (450)
Perfect little ivory rosebuds are nestled upon dupioni silk band beneath illusion netting. Cream. USA from imported materials. Arrives in a keepsake hatbox. 13″.
Victorian Trading Co.
Louise Green Santa Barbara Hat (343)
Who couldn’t appear beautiful in this poetic tuned up sisal? Created by the noted designer in her California studio, the brim is hand formed from a fine-woven sinamay straw with subtle platinum fleck. The generous silk millinery bloom with sinamay leaves
As the celebrations for Her Majestys 90th birthday get under way, I thought I would share with you how it has grabbed the interest of my 6yr old son. ( Norah’s 6th Great Grandson.)
A few weeks ago, on a bright but cold weekend, he decided; quite out of the blue; to write to the Queen. Admittedly, wwe had been talking about her and he looked at photos of her and became quite fascinated of this ‘beautiful lady with the kind smile’ staring back at him.
He is finding out about the world bit by bit, and at his own pace. He asks questions and thinks about the answers given so he can put them into his own perspective. There is so much for him to discover and as a Mom, it is wonderful to this happen.
So, back to THE LETTER. He wished her a happy birthday in advance, he told her about his love of trains and as a little extra, how he should really be doing his homelearning but instead decided to write to her.
None of the advised ettiquette was followed in how to write a letter to the Queen and it was simply addressed The Queen, Buckingham Palace, London!
Bless him.
Today, one day after her 90th birthday, the postman knocks the door and chirpily says ,”we must know people in very high places!”
Here it was…a reply! Not just a letter but a celebratory card of her 90th. Along with the date it was written and sent..the 21st! her actual birthday. How special is that!
He is chuffed to bits. After a week of being poorly this very special letter has lifted his spirits.
Thank you Ma’am for quite an amazing day. ( He hopes you manage to get some rest between all the celebrations.)
xx
I would like to wish all mums a wonderful day.
I have been given instruction already by my young son, to make sure I don’t get out of bed on Sunday morning…he is going to make breakfast. Which is a beautiful thing for him to do and being only six, I suspect it just may be a jam sandwich and told to make my own cup of tea because it is hot things!
It is all from love within his heart, and as a mom, my greatest treasure.
This time of year I tend to share an image of one of Norahs brooches, which will be kept. It cabouchon, which simply says ‘Mother.’
The sentiment behind this , is to remember Norahs own Mom. Sadly, her Mother died when Norah was only six years old. Yet in writings that were found among Norahs treasures , were the clear memories she had of that particular time. Recollections of the funeral and people she saw along the way. You can read a little bit more about it here.
So, from one Mother to another, enjoy your day, treasure each moment and relax if you can…unless you are still working through the laundry for the weekend!
xxx
