You’re looking at the top of my 30’s era china cabinet which is in our den. On it sits my vintage Hendryx birdcage, several vintage and well-loved books and some of my Roseville pottery. When husband and I sit on the sofa and watch television, this cabinet is right in our sight-line (as we say in the theater.) The other evening, Don asked me to look closely at one of the pieces – this one:
Says he: Doesn’t it look like a woman’s body with hands on hips? Curvy with a waist?
Says me: Why yes, it does.
And now every time I look at it, which is often, that is what I see. Should I name her? She’s sort of flirty isn’t she?
Speaking of curvy, my obsession with vintage dress forms continues. I scour Craig’s List every day. Sometimes several times a day. I’ve missed out on a few recently. There is a vintage Wolf dress form that has a lot of wear (to put it kindly – I swear a musty smell emanates from that listing) that I had my eye on, but it is way out on Long Island. If you remember my over 3 hour long journey there last year for a coaching job, you can see where this is going. Too much time, too much gas for something that might be too damaged.
I love this style – wonderfully vintage and usually with a wire cage at the bottom. However, most of the listings I see are pretty pricey, more than I’m willing to pay.
More and more, I find I am drawn to these adjustable forms. They are often made by Acme and might be better for the limited amount of space I have upstairs.
Once I am obsessed about something, there is no stopping me. I will find one. (I sound a bit like Scarlett O’Hara.) If anyone in the NY/NJ/CT area knows of a great deal on a vintage dress form, oh please let me know? Pretty please?
What have I come to? I’m reduced to begging.
Have a wonderful day!
You are too Cute! I am convinced you will find the dress form that is right for your space. I look for things for a long time at thrifts and yard sales and eventually they turn up. ♥O
I have only 1 Roseville vase and would not give it up for the world… mine however does not have her hands on her hips… she is a zephyr lily pattern on blue that my mom had. Just love it! You have a nice collection.
Di
Yes your pottery piece is a little on the sexy side! She is saying look at me big boy…….
I had a real hard time finding a mannequin that was within my means. I too wanted the wolf with cage but they were 250+ in this area……………..not in my budget now or probably ever.
I too found an adjustable mannequin that was pretty tattered for 1/5 of the cost going on the wolfs. I have to say now that I have my mannequin I call her “ShantyGirl” I would have no other, she photgraphs very well in all her tattered awe. I have befriended her she is awesome. Good luck to you on finding your perfect Mannequin that was meant for you, and Thank you for stopping by and taking a peak at my room, I appreciate your comment!!
Hi Claudia, you are right about that piece of Roseville, she has been standing like that for a long time waiting for either you or Don to notice her! LOL! Good luck on your search – you are like me – tenacious! Ciao, bella!
I’ll tell my girls to be on the lookout for you! I want a usable dress form in my size so I can sew for myself again.
Your Roseville pieces are beautiful! Have a nice day! Twyla
Something tells me you will find her, Claudia!
And I love the girly vase. I definitely think a name is in order. Mae if she is top-heavy as in the famous Mae West whom I can see posing with her hands in that position. ;-)
XO,
Sheila :-)
I know that pose…it is usually mine when I want more money!!
hi claudia,
i have found that begging in all forms works wonders.
~janet
I think you’re vase should be called “Mae” and I have two friends that deal in vintage clothes – I’ll ask them if they have any vintage forms for sale…Jennifer
THE FIRST NAME THAT CAME TO ME WAS MAE FOR MAE WEST, BUT THEN I THOUGHT ABOUT TALLULAH (BANKHEAD).
SHE HAD A SEXY VOICE AND SLINKY FIGURE. :)
WILL KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR YOUR DRESS FORM. TAKE CARE, RIZZI
Mae West was the first thing that poppe into my head, so my vote goes with her name. Dress forms are so lovely and versatile, hope you land your next catch soon. Ann
I think the vase should be named Vanessa, it sounds like a curvy woman, Vanessa Vase is a lovely name.
Miss you,
M
Hi Claudia, your roseville piece is really pretty! I love the way you have your old books up there too. I would love to have a dress form. I just love them.
Kathy
Hi Claudia,
Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog. I hope you’re having a beautiful day.
Holly
You’ll find the perfect gal for you…she’s just around the corner I’m sure.
A dear friend gave me mine and she is quite unique.
I found the perfect dress for her at an antique shop…Keep looking, you’ll find her!
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings…
Hmmm…she does need a name. Something kinda’ sassy is in order. How about Rosie Mae? (Roseville pottery/Mae West)
I hope you find a fun dress form. You’re right, they seem to be kind of pricey. I have a feeling that the right dress form will find it’s way to your adorable studio though!
Hugs,
Jill
Well you know I love the Roseville. Now that you mention it, all three look like body shapes. Me, I’m a bartlett pear. Do they make a dress form like that?
hmmmm I just saw one around here somewhere recently, I think around the 200 asking price… but Eastern PA is kinda far isn’t it? haha!!
Your Roseville pottery is definitely striking a pose isn’t she…lol! Naughty Nanette, Saucy Sandrine, Flirty Flora…I can’t wait to see if you and Don actually name your piece of pottery..:D
I love dress forms but I think I will probably never own one. They are truly expensive and a bit hard to come by here in San Antonio. My dear friend Patricia (Vintage Linen Treasures) found one many months ago and fixed it up herself. She surprised herself by paying an arm and a leg for it but she had been wanting one for ages.
Good luck in your hunt dear!
Deanna :D
That vase Don speaks of looks like a Penelope to me. I want one of those dress forms too. I was at the antique mall scouring dark corners when you called me today. Came up with a few interesting things. Will call ya tomorrow.
Brenda
You funny girl!!! Will it help if I beg for you too? These are getting scarce (sp) aren’t they? I hardly ever see them for sale. My daughter has a really old table top one. Her boobs are all worn down. She used her for display when she had her shop. She won’t let her go. She had a space at a market near here two years ago and two women really wanted to buy her. They told Ember that she was a (special) such and such, and told her that she was actually molded in the shape of the woman she had belonged to and proceded to tell her how you can identify them from others. I got to looking at her and thought, man that chick was so skinny. Women were just tiny then I think.
I do hope you can find one. They really are so awesome.
I love the afghan you are working on.
Thank you sweet for stopping by and making my day.
hugs
I’ll keep my eye out for a dress form for you! I received a free one last yr. Yes, Free! Email me your phone #. You never know:)
Hugs, Liz
Hi Claudia,
We are both in the same boat! I have been searching for a vintage dress form for a long time now too.
The ones I find are ridiculously prices. I went to a church sale a few months ago and as I was walking in the door a man was walking out with one that was absolutely perfect. I wanted to trip him and then grab it and run!! LOL.
Yes, your vase does look like a woman. Yep, you need to name her.
hugs
Sissie
Your Roseville pieces are so lovely! That piece does look like a curvy woman! Good luck in your search for the perfect dress form!
Yep, I think a good old fashioned vampy name like Lana or Lola!
Good luck with you treasure hunt!!
Leann
i tend to find the best dress forms at thrift shops with giant tags on then that say DISPLAY ONLY. NOT FOR SALE. hmmmmm. whatever.
good luck on the hunt!! i got lucky when i opened my booth and found one at a local antique mall across the street for $30!! she is the best. she smells like an opened can of spam, but she is on wheels and adjusts to over 6 feet tall!!!!! all worth the smell of potted meat. lol.
take care
sue
Hey Claudia,
I inherited a piece of my mothers Roseville I believe it’s called Cherry Blossom. I loved it all my life, it certainly has the colors of Mockingbird Cottage. And yes, the dress forms are awesome. If you ever get to Texas I have one in my storage unit that I want to sell. I used to have a booth that they stood in, now I don’t they room. Lisa
Ah…a woman who speaks to my heart! When I get my mind set, move out of the way!! lol:)
You’ll find a dress form & I can’t wait to see it!!
Happy hunting Claudia!
I love Roseville pottery Claudia….and yes that looks like a woman with her hands on hips! Leave it to a man to see that! Ha! You have some lovely pottery. That stuff can get pretty pricey. The dress forms are lovely. I had no idea you collected them. I will keep my eyes peeled for them! I have a friend who is an artist here in my town. She is considered a bit eccentric by some and adored by many. Her yard is filled with mannequins that are dressed up for any weather…usually they follow the season. She has all sorts of crazy things in her yard….the funniest is a man upside down in a barrel…you see his feet sticking out. I must go over and take some photos!
You must be reading my mind. I really have been oogling one of these beauties for a while to display on. Keep us posted.
Laughing at the vase. It will never be the same!
Hope you find your dress form. I think they are wonderful…but space is limited.
Smile and enjoy your day.
obsessions, begging … it’s all good! lol
I don’t have room for one of those dress forms, but if I did….i’d be scouring and looking about as you are!
Hope you soon find what you’re looking for!
I think you should name the vase, Florentina! cause she’s feminine and can handle flowers! hehehe…
thanks for your visit to my blog! love hearing from you!
ciao bella
creative carmelina
Oh yes, she is a saucy girl! Have you picked a name yet?
I too love dress forms, and I was on the look out for a long time before I found mine. Suddenly, it was just there, right in front of me. The lady at the sales desk said “Where did you find this…I didn’t even see it come in?” She sounded angry that I had found it. But I did : )
And I was soooo delighted!
I wish for you that moment soon where you turn and there it is!
Hugs,
Terri
You know where I found one of mine? In a barn! Buried under a bunch of other stuff. She’s not old, old, old but I love her just the same.
Hello Claudie! Thank so much for your sweet comments on my blog! I am so happy you spoke up! Now I have found you! I have to admit, I love dress forms too…. They all seem to have such personality! Good luck on your treasure hunt!!