Stories behind the stuff - an introduction

Earlier this summer I pulled up to a small ranch home south of the Twin Cities. I found a few cool items in the garage (I love to start in the garage during an estate sale) and was taken aback upon entering the home. There were THOUSANDS of glass items, specifically Fenton glass and organized in every color you could imagine (blue, milk, rose, uranium, etc.) - it was amazing.

In speaking with a family member working the sale, he told me about his Uncle (the owner of the home) and how he had collected glass pieces over the years and meticulously catalogued each item both on the piece (swipe to see his notes) and in his central records. He loved glass art (obviously Fenton) and dabbled in his own glass work as well. His nephew mentioned his own pieces were scattered throughout the home and hung in windows, and when I asked about the taped off cabinets full of pieces he told me there would be at least 3 additional sales to get through the entire collection.

I picked up some fabulous pieces that day and made sure to purchase an original piece from the homeowner - it is a beautiful, signed, stained glass piece featuring a bird. These Fenton Hobnail milk glass goblets (there are 8 total) I purchased in early October at the 4th and final sale at this property are calling for a fall glass of wine, and so representative of the amazing collection this individual had and shared.

We are planning to have a section of the store with pieces like the original stained glass art that feature the 'stories behind the stuff' to share the things that make buying vintage so special.