Butterfly In The Attic: The Circus on Flashback Thursday

Butterfly In The Attic: The Circus on Flashback Thursday: Me at my Grandma Nelson's House 1972 I can remember the excitement of going to my first circus, I was probably a little older than m...

Testing Bakelite With Baking Soda? No way!

Yes way!
 Today I was cleaning up a few old Bakelite handled utensils when I ran into pesky thrift store sticker residue. I grabbed my trusty box of baking soda and dumped it on my rag and started to scrub it off. It turned that lovely shade of nicotine yellow.
At first I thought: "Great, these are cruddy, not Bakelite". 
So, I washed them real good again, dried them off and tried baking soda on a damp Q Tip. Again nicotine yellow.

 All the handles I tested were red and a little worn. So I ran to grab the only other piece in this house that was not red or worn, and I tested on that. Again it was a positive yellow.

 At this point I need more input. I am pretty excited at the thought of my old trusty friend baking soda coming through, yet again. So I asked other reputable dealers and friends to participate by testing their own pieces... here are the results we have so far:

Note: As with any abrasive substances, do not rub hard and always test in an inconspicuous area.

These pieces tested positive with Simichrome prior to testing with baking soda.

Just moisten a cotton swab, dip in baking soda and rub gently. Dish soap can be added if a different texture is preferred. I like the added dish soap, it doesn't seem as abrasive and is more paste like. The photos below show the test done without.

Here are results from others.

Photo and Test provided by Jodi Bombardier

Photos and tests provided by Niki Patterson

As for black, you have Bakelite and you have Catalin as one experienced dealer puts it: 

 "And we should probably take into account that Bakelite, and Catalin, are two different substances. Bakelite was brown or black, first used for appliance knobs and such, and was more of a dense, even composition material, and heavier. If you break a piece, like break a knob off, you can see the fine ever so slightly granular make-up. Catalin was glossy and lighter and could be brightly colored. Sometimes maybe we're testing two different animals, both black early plastics, but they will react differently" - Courtney Hubble owner of  Mercy, Maude!

For now it seems that it is just as effective, but not better than Simichrome for testing. Lexi Lewis provided 3 photos of black pieces using both baking soda and Simichrome and the results were pretty similar.

All of these pieces are different types of plastic from different eras. None of them reacted to Baking Soda like Bakelite did.

Be sure to look out for Part Two, I am still gathering evidence!

Update as of 12-30 Part Two has been posted!

- Bunny Finds Vintage 

Rolled Paper Crafts, 1960s Recycling Fun

Before TV, the internet and social media took over, magazines were an important part of many households. 

That is where you got all of your entertainment that was too risque for television. 

And of course an endless supply of miracle cures, tonics and potions that made life better and eternal.

 Like all good things, you eventually have too much. 

So what to do with all of these treasured sources of information and entertainment? 

 I mean you already have it all, you ordered every single potion, read every single article at least three times and your knowledge in the ways of love are enough to make the Goddess Venus herself blush. You can't just throw them away, they are treasured friends. 

But the stacks of them are becoming a fire hazard and making you out to be a lousy homemaker. 

What does one do? 

You make a waste basket or a necklace, that's what you do!

These were popular craft projects for Bible school, women belonging to organizations such as The Relief Society, and also the Girl Scouts. The waste basket design was very popular in the 60's. Rolled paper, usually from magazines or catalogs, and plastic cord was used to turn an empty ice cream barrel into a fabulous colorful container, for trash, yarn, or even your new magazines!

"We were recycling even back then!" - SusieQ#1

Waste baskets were not the only masterpieces being created from this technique, jewelry and other items were being crafted also. Like this necklace fashioned from rolled paper and paper clips, I mean no one really needs 1000 paper clips do they?

This is such a simple form of paper crafting, the art gets much more complicated and beautiful the further you go back in history. The art of Paper Quilling is still practiced today and dates back to the 16th century. 

Want to make your own rolled paper container like the one shown here? Here is a great instructional video I found.

You can learn to make rolled paper paper clip beads like these by watching this video.

Here's a great guide for crafting a different type of paper bead.

Thinking that you might like to dabble in Quilling? This guide is a great place to start.

Stop by my Facebook page to share your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks for reading :)

b.a. goodjohn: On...Intersections: where writing and the rest col...

b.a. goodjohn: On...Intersections: where writing and the rest col...: Born in 1960s, I grew up--or began to grow up--in the seventies. In 1972, I was snogged in the kiddies

Fantastic Gift Ideas For Her

Make the girl in your life feel like a real lady this holiday season! 
Pampering day spas, warm outerwear and gorgeous accessories are right at your fingertips! 

This gift guide is courtesy of Angiezilla's Boutique

1. Paradise Pamper Me Deluxe Gift Set by Paradise Bath Boutique


Treat her to a day at a spa, Spa Finder makes it easy!

2. Gray Wool Coat by Renz Rags


3. Sterling Victorian Pools of Light Earrings by Hey That's Awesome!


4. Tyrolean New York Iridescent Blue Carnival Glass Beaded Handbag by Vintage Meet Modern


5. Wool and Silk Scarf Made Exclusively for The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Sfuso


6. 10K Bohemian Garnet Ring by Zephyr Vintage


7.14k Bangle Bracelet by Lady and Librarian 


8.Royal Montana Blue Demi Parure by The Artisanal


9.Vintage Gold Chain Mesh Coin Purse by Junk In Da Trunk Girls

10.Short Infinity Dress by Tumbleweed Clothing Co.