Instant Art Collection- Bette Fast

For those who have been following along, you know I am a sucker for regional artists and do my best to authenticate and verify the items I have.  Sometimes they find me by accident....or perhaps fate, other times, I see potential with a quick search and know I can find out more.  Art is a very personal thing.  Collect what you love, but also spend the time to learn about its creator and you may just find you love it even more for what is behind the piece.  That case is true in the pieces I picked up the other week and also in the new items I won last week.  Here is their story.......

Framed painting on canvas dated 1965 by Bette Fast. A known feminist, most of her subjects were female.

Nude sketch in red pencil on textured paper dated 1975. 

BETTE FAST, wife of HOWARD FAST (author and 1953 Stalin Peace Prize recipient- amazing story here but he wrote stories of American History best known novel was Spartacus, which was self published after he was in prison for Contempt of Congress and he was banned.  Like a celebrity scorn, he rose from the flames of being a Communist supporter in the states and had himself a highly successful career!), was a working artist from Connecticut.  She produced sketches and paintings and ending up the last 35 years of her life doing sculpture.  I found some lots of her work in an online auction and decided I found out enough about her in a quick search (not an insane amount of info, mind you, but enough to know she had a great story and I could learn more).  I managed to win the original painting on canvas at a great price.  Then moved on to a few lots of sculpture.  I knew she was a sculptor by this point, but the pieces were not identified in the auction listing.  This is where my instincts kick in and I decided i was going for them regardless, hoping to win cheap enough to be able to resell them if not what I was looking for.  There was a single piece, and another lot with a pair.  The pair looked suspect....like reproductions but I did not recognize them up front and decided to try for them all.  Sculpture is such a great thing to have placed around your space, on bookcases and credenzas.  Always a nice thing to add to my inventory.  I was able to win both lots.  Then I moved on to a pair of framed sketches by Bette.  They were both nudes in red pencil.  I was fighting someone for them so eventually dropped the battle.  Not sure if they were a Fast fan, or just a fan of nudes.  There was one more framed sketch in red pencil, a lying nude.  I won this one very easily.  So as weird as it is, you never know what drives your fellow bidders!  I added another lot of cigarette cups and ash trays to my take....I love multiple items and this set will make 11 smoke sets!  I can list them and forget it and they will continue to sell over the next year.  Overall, I was thrilled.  Pick up day last Friday meant a day spent with a friend hitting sales and thrifts on our way to and from the auction house.  I get some of my best finds in this area and it is worth the drive!  I gasp when I saw the painting!  It was much larger than I had imagined....yes, the dimensions were on the listing and no, I did not make a visual.  My friend reminded me that this is a bad move because she bought art that did not fit in her car once!  haha  The additional print was also a nice size.  As soon as I got the sculpture in my hand and felt the texture and density of the material, I knew it was a legit piece and not a reproduction.  It felt just like my Mankowski piece.  I turned it over and found the siggy, FAST.  Wow!  I scored one of her sculptures!!!! I was so excited and the piece is an amazing abstract of a woman sitting with her legs crossed.  Her head is much smaller than her body.  Interesting.  Meanwhile, I had already discovered that Howard published a book on his lovely wife's work so I located a copy on ebay and it was already purchased and en route to my house.  Although I have no reason to suspect Ms Fast sold alot of art, I did find she only had 3 exhibitions, one in LA, and the other 2 I believe were both in Connecticut (New Canaan and somewhere else) during her years.  I used the opportunity to inspect this piece with a magnifying glass and comparing to a Picasso print.  Indeed, I do believe it to be an original as is the painting.  The book arrived yesterday and there was a lovely forward by Howard and another by a friend of hers.  The care and love she shared for creating filled me with joy.  There were many photos and sketches in the book but none of my pieces were featured.  It also said most of her work resides with private collectors.  Apparently, I just found on of their estates.  I will continue to look for more info on Fast and her works.  It was an amazing find to say the least and they will be welcome into my collection.

see the dots? Picasso print. The printing process creates dots which kind of vibrate when they come into focus.  This pic is through my magnifying glass.

sketch. I think we are safe to say there are no dots here.  

The gorgeous sculpture when I first got a look at her.

 The other sculpture lot was indeed museum reproductions and included SPANISH DANCER by Edgar Dagas, which I have just listed in my shops.  1988 Franklin Mint edition.  Degas was known for his dancer and ballerina subjects.  This lovely lady is a great example of form and function.  His subjects were almost always MID MOVEMENT and in a position impossible to hold for long.  She will make a great add to a collection.  The other piece is a man hand holding a smaller female torso.  I did not recognize it but after I uncovered the artist I had to say DUH out loud!  Rodin.  I have been to his museum more than once at the Philadelphia Art Museum.  I also have a reproduction of THE KISS his most favorite work of mine.  This piece is not pristine with some chipping, but I will add it to my bookcase with THE KISS. <3 

All 3 sculptures. 

I just added a bunch of items to the etsy shop and my latest finds are mostly there for the taking.  The Lane bookcase/hutch has been sold and the only casework piece left is the Danish Hundevad piece that I moved into my space at the Fleetwood Antique Mall.  I also came home with a great chandelier we are working on restoring and I listed a plastic swag light that just got a new fixture.  Keep watching as I move quickly with this stuff and I would hate for you to miss out on something! 

With the holidays fast approaching, shop early so you do not have to expedite your package!  All of my shipping quotes are for standard shipping only.  If you want to expedite, you will need to reach out! I am available TUES, WED, FRI for regional deliveries plus I have some weekend availability.  It is not too late to add some great furnishings to your home!  xo Malissa

chandelier coming soon! 

Lastest restorations complete.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!  It was pretty quiet for us unless you count the washing machine giving up and shopping for a new one, a water leak not long after causing us hassle to dry out but luckily my inventory was spared.  So I have been busy around the house and thankful things have been pretty slow as I am sure folks are out shopping retail.  I had time to get my little projects completed including the rocking chair, which I just put the final touched on today. She is stunning!  I photographed today and sent my listing to Chairish.  If you are regional or can meet me for delivery, the etsy listing is live.  I can quote shippers for you if you need it.  

The perfect piece for a covered porch or sun room! Eclectic and Boho lovers will style it up with a Kantha or Kilim!  

When shopping vintage, I know what you will find. This chair had 2 areas of broken weave....it's now repaired. The upholstery was gross and there was an issue with the seat frame....it's now repaired and better than ever.  This chair is as comfy as it looks! 

My side project little wire bench is also complete.  I stripped a bad paint job off her (PAIN IN THE BUTT) and then added a gloss black enamel finish, new rubber feet caps and my custom cushion featuring the Schumacher indoor/outdoor fabric.  It is so adorable!  I can see this fitting a toddler perfect and what a cute bench to use in a photo shoot for the holidays or even Valentine's Day!  I can ship in 24 hours or less. 

Super cute wire bench revamped for another life. At the foot of a bed, under a vanity, prop for photo shoots....many uses! The details have been taken care of for you.

The Hundevad piece is a little wider than the Lane hutch and provides even more storage. Danish Modern is always hot. 

I just sold the Lane Rhythm hutch that was in my booth so I am currently featuring the awesome Hundevad Teak 2pc unit at my best price.  I will warn you the top part will only fit in a full size truck or van.  I am available to help deliver but only if our Vanagon is in a happy mood, no snow or salt on the ground, etc.  It is currently in the shop for winter repairs and inspection so out of commission at this moment.   As of last Friday when I made the swap, the Cathrineholm bowl is still unclaimed!  Add this $50+ valued piece to your collection by making a $200 purchase with me at the Fleetwood Antique Mall!  I have awesome gifts and some great restored furnishings waiting for you.  My local market can be kind of depressing and while I love shipping my items all over the country, it would be a super surprise to find some local MCM fans who appreciate great design and quality restored goods right here in my area.  If you are reading and have any friends who are looking for items to furnish their homes, please send them my way!  I work with interior design pros all over the country and would love to work with more local folks!

Current view. My pair of blue Heywood chairs moved to Texas.  This orange chair is sad and would love a new home too! Priced at my lowest price at the mall for self service customers.

Yesterday was the closing of the Richard Redd Scrapbook Exhibition that I was fortunate to be able to attend last month.  I got to claim my 2 original framed prints and take them home.  I took a few minutes to chat with him and meet his sweet Pomeranian who never leaves his lap.  I told him that my college did not have much of an art department but I did take an acrylic class as an elective after I switched majors.  And I said I 'stuck it out there' since I did not want to transfer.  He told me in the 1950's when he was a student at Lehigh University (where he taught and chaired the Art Department years later), they only had a 2 person art department and he 'stuck it out' as well.  Amazing how your heart leads you where you need to be regardless of what you study.  In my case, my accounting and bookkeeping career is very much useful to me as I would really be sunk if I had to hire someone!  haha  My interests in preserving the stories and histories of the small artists and especially the local and regional artists that I come across in my picking travels is always the main goal.  Sometimes it is hard to find out a lot like in the case of the Bethlehem woman who I have the beautiful floral paintings from, but in the funny way life is, I just happened to revisit google for Mr. Redd's story just in the nick of time to experience his final exhibition and was so thrilled to be able to add a few pieces to my personal collection.  I do occasionally keep items I am smitten by and tend to keep those with trees in them.  haha  The pieces I selected are very much nature inspired! <3 Now to figure out where to hang them!  I also made a donation to the scholarship in his honor that will be started for art students at Lehigh University.  Your support of my business allows me to give back to the museums and organizations that aid me in my research and being able to contribute to this cause was important to me. <3 

Have a great week and I am sure many are getting ready for the holidays!  I have many performances coming up in December with the 2 ensembles I play French Horn with and it is a busy and exciting time of the year! 

xo Malissa

Holiday Promotions Start Now! SHOP SMALL, shop often!

I have a few things to buzz about for the holiday season coming up as I get myself organized.  Here is what is happening:​

ETSY SHOP: 10% off all inventory except furniture and fabrics is on NOW THROUGH NOV 20!  Early birds are being rewarded! Stop by and see if you can knock some gifts off your list or shop for yourself, I WON'T TELL! 😜  ​

BLACK FRIDAY GIFT WITH PURCHASE.  I did this last year and prepared to do it again! I got lots of little items from Primitives by Kathy to give away!  Any etsy orders shipping from Thanksgiving through Christmas will get a free gift from me! 🎁 while supplies last but I have plenty so do not think I will run out. If you shop earlier, just message me that you want the Christmas gift and I will include in your package.  I love doing this and hope my customers like it.  GIFT WRAP? I will gladly do a special wrap or add a card for you, just message me.  Etsy wants us to charge and specifically offer it and honestly, so few people ask for it that when they do, I accommodate no charge.  I want your item to make it safely so my main concern is packing it properly. 

If this bowl were for sale, I'd be pricing it between $50 and $80.  You can claim it FREE with a $200 purchase! 

FLEETWOOD ANTIQUE MALL SPACE.  The mall may run some promos and I may participate but nothing is firm yet. Starting today in my space only (tags marked MW) I am offering up a fabulous 8" Catherineholm enameled Lotus bowl in harder to find yellow and green​.  From today through Christmas, the first person who spends $200 (in a single transaction) in my shop will be able to take this great bowl home FREE! I only ask you take a pic of you in my space holding the bowl when you claim it! 💕👌  if it goes unclaimed by Christmas, it will go back in my china hutch.  😂🤘🏼 

MAY I SUGGEST? I just stocked up holiday items, added my beautiful dining set at a crazy cash/carry price.....$1000 for 6 restored chairs and a table! I have the chairs at $1200 online without the table. Come see it, all set with glassware and china looking pretty.  I have a few great pieces on display! I also have gifts from Primitives by Kathy and lots of fun vintage goodies to choose from.  Don't forget the Lane Rhythm Hutch is also available for a crazy low price of $500!  If you are looking for a handsome bookcase or china/collectibles Hutch this could be the one! Priced for the local market and ready to use!  

Stop by and shop the mall! It really is a fun place with an awesome selection.  Let me know how you like it! ​

Took a few pics of the daybed as I removed from my showcase.  It is such a lovely piece.  If you know of someone looking for a multi use piece like this, send them my way! I will deliver in the region. Perfect for a nursery for new parents, den, spare room and more.  All newly restored with sturdy metal frame on gorgeous hairpin legs. 💙

all new foam, professionally upholstered.

Includes original details like piped edging, tufting and zipper access on the small pillows. 

Thanks for following along! I will have more updates on my rocker restoration soon! Fabric is on the way! XO Malissa

Wicker repair- not a bad project to attempt!

I took in a 1930s era wicker Heywood Wakefield/Lloyd Loom rocking chair a while ago.  It needed some repairs and new seat upholstery.  When I bought the cane for the rocking chair, I picked up some reed to do that repair as well.  The original wicker is not even wood!  It is twisted paper.  Crazy!  I set up shop while I was binging on Netflix and started to recreate the weave in the broken area.  It was not a bad job at all.  The reed needed to be wet to be pliable so I just soaked small pieces in a bowl of water while I was working.  My next step was to blend this repair in with the original aged painted finish.  I hit AC MOORE and picked up some acrylic Liquitex.....sadly, I have somewhere in my house but it was from college so who knows if it is even still good.  So I picked up the 2 colors I figured I'd be blending to get to the color match.  Low an behold, I did great!  I mixed the base color and then added some orangey splashes over top.  It came out great!  I will be spraying the entire chair with a clear coat as well, to seal that in. 

Before the repair, after the weaving and finally with the paint applied.

The repair is on the right arm.  Can't even tell!  <3  I choose not to repaint  the chair.  Shabby is in and so many folks faux finish things, here is the real deal aged finish!  Drab orange with deep red accents.

My next task was to rip apart the old upholstery.  Now, here is the thing....this chair was pretty gross.  It came from an attic in a Reading row home.  It smelled like mildew and the dirt was permeated into the cotton.  Just plain gross.  My plan is to rebuilt the entire seat so everything except the wood and metal is new. 

I just selected fabric for the seat,  it is a deep red textured indoor/outdoor fabric by F Schumacher.  For as much as I was hoping to use a Wild pattern, I went with the solid which is the safer option.  

While I wait for the fabric to arrive, I will be getting the new muslin over the springs and doing my cotton and foam stuffing. My plan is to have the fabric patterned so my friend and I can sew it in another week when I visit.  I am looking forward to getting this piece finished! It really is a nice chair. I also have a book coming regarding the Lloyd Loom Company, if I learn anything of interest I will share.  

Holiday updates. 

Furniture can take 6-8 weeks to receive via white glove shippers. If there is something you love, order now so you can receive in time!  Layaway?  If purchased via etsy, I would gladly accept a deposit to hold a pricier item. Reach out to discuss.   

BLACK FRIDAY PROMO: once again, I was able to purchase a little something to pack with all orders shipping out this holiday season! Starting around Black Friday, I will be including a special gift with your order. ✌️ I have plenty but will disclose WHILE SUPPLIES LAST just in case I break some sales records! If you place an order before Black Friday please send me a note that you would like the holiday gift! I certainly don't want you to wait to make your purchase! 💕

Etsy is setting up some new features. Some things to look for are GIFT WRAPPING options.  I did not set this up as I do not feel it goes along with what I sell but I am always open to making a gift special, which I do not charge for. You just need to let me know. My main goal is to get your item to you safely!  There are also new badges for FREE SHIPPING. Etsy is encouraging this and marketing it.  It works well for smaller items but sadly, shipping for most items I sell is very complicated and varies immensely depending on where I am shipping to.  I will continue to offer custom quotes prior to check out and refund overages if you check out with what I have set up.  My best zones are east coast and mid west so keep that in mind.  I take shipping seriously and will price shop for your best rate. SHIPPING IS NOT FREE for any of my furniture nor for most furniture items listed on etsy.  Please read the entire description to determine if shipping truly is included.  This new change has left me and other furniture sellers with little options to control how we appear and my guess is furniture with 0 shipping will be promoted with the free shipping items.  Coupons-etsy may offer coupons for new shoppers.  It should show up on your home screen. This is awesome and a corporate level promo.  Take advantage if you can!

SHOP SALE- I have not determined if I will offer a sale yet, but may have a coupon code later this month for my special fans.  Please check your emails for future blog updates and my social media.  I will advertise it there. 

Fleetwood Antique Mall- I will participate in holiday promos at the mall. Also stay tuned as I will announce them as they get planned! 

Thanks for reading! Looking forward to a busy holiday season!  

XO Malissa

Chairish- where it is at. A look at this newer marketplace taking the internet by storm.

I sell in more than one online market. Some of my items are listed in one, some in all.  Although up to now, I have been focusing on my etsy shop, things have been changing over there and I decided to add some of my higher end smalls to chairish.  I figure I would tell you guys about that market as I do feel they are positioning themselves to become a force to reckoned with. 

HOME Screen in the Chairish App.  

I got involved with Chairish a few years ago.  They are a relative newcomer in the online marketplace and a lot of folks are unaware of them. They are presenting to an upscale audience focusing on interior designers. There are no vintage requirements and they encourage sellers to offer late model Furnishings and Decor.  They also offer white glove shipping nationwide which they arrange at incredible rates. I price shopped Plycon on my own and they are seriously half of that. Although white glove shipping is a splurge, it really is a great choice as all you need to do is say 'put it over there' and they will, taking all the wrappings with them when they leave.  I sling a lot of furniture and can say that alone is worth forking over the dough!  

2 of my items showing up in a search for BOMBAY. 

Chairish is a curated collection.  That means someone there decides if they want your item listed.  If for whatever reason they do not want it, it gets denied.  It is a way of controlling what is associated with their brand.  The audience is Interior Designers shopping for clients and savvy homeowners in the know.  Sellers are also grouped by region and often offer deliver or pick ups.  This is how you can shop smartly without driving up the price with shipping costs.

There are some great features in the App! First up is a VIEW IN YOUR SPACE feature.  

Currently only offered by Chairish and their really high end sister site, DECASO, this fun feature lets you use your camera to overlay this scalable image over you room.  See how cool my mirror would look hanging in my VW Vanagon?! 😂

From the desktop browser, I have also been able to PRINT A TEAR SHEET which looks like this. Also an Interior designer feature but helpful if you are coordinating your own project.  

As you can see above, shoppers can make offers. Sellers can accept or counter.  When you make an offer, be aware that everyone who has HEARTED that item gets a push email that announces HURRY! MALISSA HAS MADE AN OFFER OF $250.   

SHOPPING TIPS:  you can score a $20 off coupon as a new shopper just be signing up for an account or message me your email as I can have one sent to you.  I also just printed out a packing slip for a buyer and it included a coupon code for $20 off a purchase of $100 or more on a return trip.  You can ask questions directly to the seller as a public comment.  Please note there there is not a private communication system nor will they encourage direct contact between buyer and seller off site.  They will, however, assist as a go between and forward info between parties.  Just contact customer service to initiate.   TRUST:  although listings are edited by Chairish, know that they do not authenticate any item being sold.  I have observed some shady practices by dealers in this market.  Like any other marketplace, make sure you ask questions and get proof.  If the dealer cannot provide, you may want to find someone who will to purchase from.  

TRADE DISCOUNTS.  Are you an interior design pro? Chairish recently launched a Trade program where, once approved, you would be eligible for trade discounts as offered by sellers of 10-30% off listed price.  I personally feel I price fair so have not jumped into this. Realistically, prices need to start higher to accommodate this on top of the already steep commission.  I am going to wait it out and see.  Shoppers always can make offers so not being featured in the promos is the only thing I will miss out on.  

Pop over and give chairish a try! You can follow my shop at chairish.com/shop/madmodworldvintage and find me under Philadelphia sellers! ✌️Happy shopping! Allow 6-8 weeks to receive white glove furniture shipments! I had been taking 2 weeks just to get things picked up!

xo Malissa